Raleigh NC Real Estate Tracy Dowling- Raleigh NC Real Realtor

Conveniently located in southwestern Wake County, the town of Apex, North Carolina boasts a small town atmosphere despite its proximity to big city players Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham.

Apex is a charming blend of rich history and bright future, which is why it's no surprise newcomers immediately want to put down roots. It's not only a peaceful, friendly atmosphere, but many say it just feels like "home."

Apex prides itself in family living and took the title of the "The Best Place to Live in the USA" by Money Magazine, "No. 4 Best Place to Live and Work," "The Best Business Climate," and "No. 3 City for Entrepreneurship" from the North Carolina Business Magazine.

Apex's proximity to the Research Triangle Area makes it an incredibly desirable place to live. The area encompasses the research, technology and education corridor of North Carolina. World-class universities, health care and research facilities are the reason each surrounding town has seen an influx of professionals moving into the region over the past several years.

While Apex is positioned well for continued growth, city planners are working to ensure that the small-town character remains in tact.

There are currently just under 30,000 residents living in Apex with a median age of 32 years old. Residents tend to be highly educated, which explains the average household annual income of $70,174, well above the national average.

Potential homebuyers will find a wide array of housing options. About three-quarters of homes are single-family detached style with a nice selection of condos, town homes and duplexes as well. From sprawling estates to starter homes, the options in Apex are truly endless.

Today, the Apex downtown district reflects the town's historical beginnings and is highlighted by the 1914 Apex Union Depot. The restored downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is definitely a sight to see. The quaint shops feature antique, gift and specialty, as well as an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, fine dining options and those modern day staples we've all come to love.

The town motto, "Peak of Good Living" was chosen because there are places along Main Street where the water that falls on one side of the street flows to the Neuse River and on the other side flows to the Cape Fear River.

First settled around 1867, Apex was named because the community was the highest point on the Chatham Railroad, which ran between Richmond, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.

A community quickly developed around the train station, and Apex was widely known as a booming trading and shopping center. Tobacco growing and production also became a popular staple to the Apex economy and quickly became known for the Wake County tobacco auction market.

Apex is truly an ideal hometown. With plentiful employment opportunities, a strong local economy and an impressive cost of living, residents enjoy one of the finest standards of living in the nation. If you're interested in learning more about living in Apex, NC, contact me today.

Raleigh, NC is divided into seven areas, and each area offers something unique and different.

Downtown/Old Raleigh- If you're downtown, you're "inside the beltline," which is the historic part of Raleigh. From the old Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel, the NC State Capitol and Shaw University, downtown Raleigh hosts a lot historical buildings as well as residential and commercial properties.

North Raleigh- A quickly growing suburban area with both established neighborhoods and new construction homes. There are a lot of shopping and commercial offerings and is typically considered the area north of Millbrook Road.

Midtown Raleigh- Just north of the I-440 Beltline and encompasses parts of North Raleigh. This is a residential and commercial area. (The term Midtown is typically only referenced for marketing purposes but still important to reference.)

East Raleigh- Encompasses Capitol Boulevard near I-440 to New Hope Road. Most of the developments run along the main corridors. East Raleigh hosts one of the oldest communities in Raleigh often featured as part of historical Raleigh.

Southeast Raleigh- Very diverse with new suburban areas and older inner-city neighborhoods. This area includes Rock Quarry Road, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and New Bern Ave. Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion, the area's largest outdoor venue, is in Southeast Raleigh.

South Raleigh- Located along US 401 and along US 70 into suburban Garner. This is the most rural and undeveloped area of Raleigh.

West Raleigh- Home to NC State University, Meredith College and the NC Museum of Art, West Raleigh sits along Hillsborough Street and Western Blvd.

If you're wondering which part of Raleigh best suites you and your needs, I'd happy to chat with you. Contact me today!

People often wonder how a particular market is fairing in today's volatile economy. Well, the answer is clear when it comes to Raleigh, NC. With interest rates at an all-time low, it is definitely a buyer's market.

Over the years, Raleigh has demonstrated all the characteristics of a stable housing industry. Referencing the chart below, it is easy to see that Raleigh's Home Value Index has remained much flatter than other comparable markets. This is an indication of a stable market. Price fluctuations have been minimal while still maintaining a positive gain over time.

Orlando is a prime example of a boom market. Much like many of the California markets, price fluctuations have been very dramatic over the years. These areas have experienced rapid value increase over recent years but are now experiencing the shocking downfall.

Midsize locations, such as Raleigh, Richmond and Charleston have remained relatively stable, with Raleigh slightly outperforming the competition. Since 2005, Raleigh has shown positive home value growth, a rare feat in today's economy. This growth gives assurance to new homebuyers that their investment will continue to develop as a sound asset in the future.

There has been a lot of discussion surrounding today's interest rates. So just how good are those rates? The chart below shows the average 30-year fixed rate by year for the past few decades. Rates are at their lowest since 1972, making today the best time to buy in 37 years!

Raleigh has continued to add jobs to support the rapidly growing population. Approximately 65,000 jobs have created since 2005. In addition, Raleigh experienced one of the top population growths of any metro market in the country over the past five years, growing an astonishing 5 percent annually. For these and numerous other reasons, Raleigh was named the No. 6 Healthiest Housing Market for 2009 in the country. Read the article here.

Taking all these factors into account, it is apparent that Raleigh, NC is one of the few markets in the country displaying continual growth. This translates into a vast amount of potential for the future. Home prices and inventories benefit buyers, as do the current interest rates.

If you want to take advantage of all the benefits buying a home in Raleigh will offer, give me a call today. I can help you find exactly what you're looking for!

Wanting to learn about Raleigh, NC? Look no further!

Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. Known for its exuberant amount of oak trees, it is often referred to as the "City of Oaks." It is centrally located a few hours west of the coast and a few hours east of the Appalachian Mountains - both popular destinations for vacations. Raleigh's beauty and stability make it the perfect place to call home.

The Raleigh-Cary metro area has been one of the fastest growing areas in recent years. Its population has grown to just over 1 million.

But what really makes Raleigh a magnificent city?

The "City of Oaks" is known for being a green and environmentally friendly city. The city boasts a 41-mile greenway and a network of public open spaces and recreational trails where residents and visitors jog, bird-watch, and fish. Various wilderness preserves and gardens, along with beautifully landscaped parks make Raleigh one of the greenest areas in the country.

Raleigh is also a city of vibrant nightlife, historic neighborhoods, concerts in the park, and Old World charm. It has also been referred to as the "Smithsonian of the South" for its large concentration of museums.

For the sports enthusiasts, Raleigh is home to the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League and the Carolina RailHawks of the United Soccer League. There are two minor-league baseball teams in the area, the Carolina Mudcats and the Durham Bulls (made famous by the movie Bull Durham).

However, the area is even more famous for its intense college basketball rivalries. North Carolina State University is located in the heart of Raleigh while Duke University and the University of North Carolina are located in nearby Durham and Chapel Hill, respectively.

A large contributor to the city's economy is the Research Triangle Park, located between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. This science hub, often compared to Silicon Valley, draws talent from the area's major universities and is home to some 170 companies, most of which are involved in high-tech and biotech fields.

The city prides itself on its diverse economy, which has kept the entire area relatively stable throughout the economic downturn. As a result, real estate prices have remained equally stable and constant.

Additionally, Raleigh was recently named the third best area to launch a small business. This speaks largely of the current state of the economy. Small business success is often an excellent indicator of a city's overall economic strength.

So if you're looking for that perfect location, look no further. Raleigh offers all the amenities of a large city while maintaining the beauty and simplicity of a small town. The stable economy and steady real estate market are two major reasons why Raleigh is the place you'll want to call home.