What are the top 10 best places for retired military to live?

Raleigh named 8th best place to live by USAA and Military.com

 

Raleigh, NC has been named as another "Best Place to Live," this time for retired military veterans

Are you a member of the US military looking for the best place in the nation to start a second career? Take a look at all Raleigh, NC has to offer, including

• Defense, engineering, medical services and aviation jobs
• Relatively low unemployment rate (8.4% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the as of September, 2011)
• Proximity to Fort Bragg 
• Affordable housing, low crime rate, and favorable climate

 

According to a study commissioned by USAA and Military, the top 10 best places for retired military to live in the nation are:

10. Manchester, NH  

9. Omaha, NE

8. Raleigh, NC

7. Philadelphia, PA

6. Madison, WI

5. San Antonio, TX

4. Austin, TX

3. Richmond, VA

2. Norfolk, VA

1. Oklahoma City, OK

 

The top 10 best cities to live were determined by a few main categories:

1. Employment opportunities and sectors that align with military skills sets, such as defense, engineering, medical services and aviation.
2. Overall jobs climate based on unemployment rate and number of small businesses.
3. Proximity to a military base and a VA hospital or clinic, base amenities and state taxation on military pensions.
4. General quality of life, such as affordability, housing costs, crime rate, sales taxes and climate.

 

Read a full account of this study, Military.com, and USAA here. Information courtesy of MarketWatch.com.

 

 

Read about the “Stanton Homes® for Heroes” program, one of the nation’s largest military and veteran programs offering new home discounts.

 

 

 

Find out more about custom homes with Accessible Features, Universal Design, and Specially Adapted Features:

How to Get Started Looking for an Accessible Home
Door and Hallway Requirements for Accessible Homes
Shower Design Ideas for Accessible Home Bathrooms
Choosing the Right Lot for Your Accessible Home
What is Universal Design, and how does it make living easier?
Laundry Rooms Designed for Easy Use
Top 10 Kitchen Tips - Universal Design
Entrances, Walkways, and Lighting - What To Ask For
Specially Adapted Housing Grants for Veterans

Home Design Trends Survey

Special Function Rooms Increasing in Popularity

 

According to the American Institute of Architects's home design trends survey for second quarter 2011, some special function rooms, such as home offices, outdoor living areas, and inlaw suites have seen increased popularity over the past year. 

Some other special function rooms have shown declines in interest from 2010 to 2011, including interior greenhouses, pet rooms/interior kennels, and storm rooms/safe rooms.

AIA's survey shows these special function rooms as having an increasing interest level in 2011:

• Hobby/game room
• In law suites
• Mud room
• Home office
• Outdoor living

 

Here is a chart of AIA's survey results:

 

Learn more about these special function rooms - outdoor living spaces, home offices, mud rooms, and in law suites - in central North Carolina new homes:

2012 Outdoor living trends - Top 5 most requested screen porch features

Most popular Raleigh new home outdoor living features

Which is more popular, formal dining rooms or home offices?

Ways to save money in the laundry room - mud room features

What is a mudroom?

Mother in law suite homes - In-law suite floor plans

 

2011 Jonston County NC Property Tax Guide

How much are property taxes for Johnston County NC new homes?

 

How much are Johnston County, NC new home property taxes? That's a very common question.

Johnston County borders Wake County on the southeastern side. 

Johnston County is home to Benson, Clayton, Four Oaks, Kenly, Micro, Pine Level, Princeton, Selma, Smithfield, and Wilson's Mills. 

For folks commuting to downtown Raleigh or RTP, popular destinations include Clayton, Archer's Lodge, and the southern outskirts of Wendell, as well as Smithfield slightly farther out (which is also home to the Raleigh area's largest outlet mall - Carolina Premium Outlets at Smithfield). 

Clayton is about 17 miles away from the center of downtown Raleigh.

 

 

When were Johnston County NC property values last adjusted (assessed)?

Johnston County revalues all real estate at least every eight years, per NC requirements. 

This procedure allows the Tax Department to adjust the appraised value of real estate to reflect the property's true value in light of changing real estate market conditions. 

Land values within Raleigh have risen, and in general, less land is available for homes.  In Johnston County, homebuyers can generally find more home or land for their money than within Wake County. 

How Much are Property Taxes in Clayton or Johnston County, NC?

 

Here are the 2011 rates, by town and fire district. 

To get the total property tax rate for a town, simply add the county property tax rate to the town property tax rate. 

For example, Clayton has a town rate of 0.525, and the Johnston County property tax rate is 0.78. 

Add the two together - the total tax rate for Clayton, NC is 1.3050.

 

 

How Do I Convert Clayton NC Property Tax Rates to the Amount I'll Write a Check For?

It's not as confusing as it looks.  The tax rates are based on the assessed value of the home, not the asking price. 

• Divide the assessed value by 100.
• Multiply the result by the combined rate on the right side of the table.
• The result will be your yearly property tax bill, as of 2011. 

 

 

 

 

 

This table gives sample property tax bills for all the cities in Johnston County, including Benson, Clayton, Four Oaks, Kenly, Micro, Pine Level, Princeton, Selma, Smithfield, and Wilson's Mills, as well as some of the rural areas surrounding each of these towns. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What If The Johnston County Home I'm Considering Isn't Inside City Limits?

Your tax bill can be lower if your home or property is not actually within a municipality, or town.  If this is the case, you'll pay just the County rate, plus a fire district or other rate. 

If there's a particular address you're considering, you can see the exact assessed value of the home and/or property - just enter the address here.

Johnston County Property Tax Assessment Look Up

It is possible that there are fire district rates in addition to town rates, so it does help to look up a particular address.  But in general, the tax rate tables above work well to estimate taxes. 

How Do I Know If I'm In Johnston County?

When looking at properties, don't take the city address for granted - you could be in a different county, with different tax rates, depending on where exactly the property is located.  Ask your agent to verify the actual address and county before you sign a contract.

Clayton - a Clayton address could be in Wake County or Johnston County.

Wendell - a Wendell address could be in Wake County or Johnston County.

 

Property taxes are based on assessed value, not the price the home is sold for.  The assessed value you see may be either higher or lower than the asking value of the property - it really depends on how long ago the assessment was made, and what improvements have come to the area since the assessment (or what improvements are planned for the area).   If there is a discrepancy, don't be afraid to ask your real estate agent to pull comps for you!

Compare Property Tax Rates in Counties throughout central North Carolina 

Alamance County Property Tax Rates 2011

Cumberland County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Chatham County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Durham County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Franklin County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Granville County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Johnston County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Harnett County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Orange County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Wake County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

 

Lee County Growth | Moving to Orange County NC

Lee County NC New Homes

 

Lee County has experienced an 18.0% growth in the past 10 years, as reported by the 2010 U.S. Census results.

Lee County is one of many North Carolina counties to experience a large amount growth during this time. For example, Wake County, the most populous county in North Carolina, grew by 43.5%.

North Carolina counties with the most growth include: Franklin, Harnett, Johnston, Chatham, Hoke, Union, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Iredell, Pitt, Camden, Currituck, Pender, and Brunswick.

  

Lee County Census Results:

• Square Miles: 257.26
• Current Population: 57,866
• Population 10 years ago: 49,040
• % Population growth: 18.0%

 

Lee County quick facts:

• Incorporated towns in Lee County include: Broadway and Sanford
• Major highways in Lee County that provide access to Raleigh and the RTP include: US-15/501, US-1, US-421, and NC Hwys 42 and 87.
• Lee County hot spots for recreation and events include: Raven Rock State Park, Jordan Lake, and the Carolina Trace County Club.

 

Data provided by U.S. Census Bureau.

 

  

Thinking of building a new home in the Lee County area? There are many great places to live in and near Lee County, including Goldston, Lillington, and Sanford.

 

 

 

 

More 2010 North Carolina Census Results - Which Areas of NC are Growing the Most?

Raleigh Named Number One in Population Growth

Wake County Population Growth - Wake County is Most Populous County in North Carolina

Durham Population Growth - Number Five in Population Growth 

Orange County Growth | 2010 Orange County Census Results

Harnett County Growth | 2010 Harnett County, NC Census Results

Chatham County Growth | 2010 Chatham County, NC Census Results

 

Lee County NC New Home Resources:

Lee County New Home Communities

Lee County NC New Homes

Golf Community Homes in Lee County

 

2012 Kitchen Sink Trends - How to Choose a Kitchen Sink

What Features will Homebuyers Pay More For?

 

We were recently asked this interior design question, through "Ask Andrea": 

"What's the current trend for kitchen sinks - low-divide or regular sink? It's a huge investment especially if new granite countertops will be installed."

 

And here's what Stanton Homes' on staff interior design expert Andrea has to say:

Thank you for your questions about popular kitchen sink trends.

2012 Kitchen Trends – What Sink Styles are Most Popular?

From all of this evidence, the trend is still most definitely stainless steel. People like the fact that it goes with their appliances.

The second most popular sink style is any type of white.

Personally, I am one who prefers a white sink--Kohler cast iron undermount--I will likely never choose anything else. Is it better than a stainless steel sink? No--it is simply a preference.

In regards to offerings on the market in the low-divide style - there are many stainless steel versions to select from just as there are many manufacturers of stainless steel sinks.

The low divide is simply another option available but I wouldn't call it necessary or revolutionary. On average the bowl depth only seems to differ by an inch from several non-low-divide sinks.

Seeing homeowners laboring daily over budgeting decisions, I believe it would be a hard sell to persuade anyone to pay a substantial sum more for a low divide sink. If it was offered at virtually the same price as a non-low-divide sink, then sure, why not have the extra convenience?

 

So, stainless steel for most people is still the "must-have" and the low-divide option is a "nice to have" but certainly not a high priority. 

What Sink Features Come Standard in a Stanton Home Custom Kitchen?

Stanton Homes offers a choice of a large single bowl (rounded or angular), or two bowls in any one of the following configurations: a 50/50, 60/40 or 40/60, or a 70/30 or 30/70, all in 18 gauge insulated stainless steel.

 

What Kitchen Sink Qualities are Most Important to Homebuyers?

The qualities of a kitchen sink deemed most important are firstly, that it be stainless steel--22 out of the last 25 custom kitchens we installed included a stainless steel under-mount sink. 

Secondly, that the sink has the correct number of bowls desired by that particular customer.

Of that group of 25 custom homebuyers, 25% selected a large single bowl while 75% chose the 60/40 configuration. 

What did the other 3 out of 25 select? Two chose Cast iron in a shiny white enamel finish--one was an undermount and the other was an apron style sink also commonly referred to as a farmhouse sink. The third selection was again white, a large single bowl under-mount composite sink by Swanstone.

What Factors Influence the Willingness to Pay More for a Kitchen Sink?

There are two main factors that influence the decision to pay more for a kitchen sink.

1.     Are you a professional chef or avid cooker? If so, you you may have developed certain requirements and beliefs as to what is best.

2.     Have you fallen in love with a particular look? If so, you may be willing to pay more because it simply LOOKS the way you want it to.

 

So, How do you Choose the Right Kitchen Sink?

If you need to purchase a new kitchen sink, then select what suits you best. As long as it looks great with the rest of the kitchen and you like it, then you'll probably have made a good selection.

A stainless steel undermount sink in a 60/40 configuration is most likely the wisest investment for resale.

Remember, there is no such thing as the perfect selection as no matter what you go with, there will always be someone who wants something else. Only spend extra for sink options if it is something that you will enjoy!

 

Having extra options will not change how your home is viewed if you are planning to sell, however, a manufactured solid surface counter top with an integral bowl, while still very acceptable and preferred in the bathroom,  is definitely a style of the past for your kitchen and not favored at all in today's kitchen trends.

Thank you for your question and enjoy selecting your new sink!

Do you have interior design questions? Want to know  the hottest 2012 design trends for your Raleigh new home?

Then "Ask Andrea," the on-staff interior design expert for Raleigh new home builder Stanton Homes.

 

More 2012 Kitchen Design Trends - NC Custom Home Builder Ideas and Tips

2012 Kitchen Design Trends - Are Stainless Steel Appliances on their Way Out?

Granite Countertop and Tile Backsplash Ideas

Kitchen Design Trends | Butler's Pantry Design Ideas

Top 5 Kitchen Tile Backsplash Ideas

Top 5 Kitchen Design Trends

Cabinet Wood Types

Best Kitchen Countertop Ideas 

Do Stainless Steel Appliances Cost Too Much?

Home Design Priorities

Accessibility and Simplicity are Popular Home Design Aspects

 

According to the American Institute of Architects's home design trends survey for first quarter 2011, accessibility and ease of movement throughout the home continue to be important home design trends.

AIA's survey showed that "home layouts have generally been simpler and floor plans more flexible". This survey includes design features like:

• In home accessibility
• Open space layout
• Access in and out of home
• Informal space
• Single floor design

 

Here is a chart of AIA's survey results:

 

Learn more about accessible home design, open floor plans, and single story homes in central North Carolina:

Accessible Home Design - Examples of Accessible Custom Homes

Accessible Home Features - What's inside an Accessible Home?

Special Adapted Housing for Veterans - VA Qualified Homes

Open Floor Plan Design - How to Customize an Open Floor Plan

Single Story Home Floor Plans

New Homes Franklin County NC

2011 Franklin County NC Property Tax Guide

How much are property taxes for Franklin County NC new homes?

 

 

How much are Franklin County, NC new home property taxes? That's a very common question.

Franklin County lies just northeast of Wake County.

Franklin County is home to Bunn, Franklinton, Louisburg, Youngsville, and parts of Wake Forest.

 

When were Franklin County NC property values last adjusted (assessed)?

Franklin County revalues all real estate at least every eight years, per NC requirements.  This procedure allows the Tax Department to adjust the appraised value of real estate to reflect the property's true value in light of changing real estate market conditions. 

  

How Much are 2011 Property Taxes in Franklin County?

 

 

Here are the 2011 rates, by town and fire district within Franklin County. 

To get the total property tax rate for a town, simply add the county tax to the town and/or fire district tax. 

For example, Louisburg has a town rate of 0.535, and the Franklin County rate is 0.8725. 

Add the two together - the total tax rate for Louisburg, NC is 1.4075.

To get up-to-date Franklin County tax information, visit the Franklin County Tax Records site.

 

 

 

 

How Do I Figure Out What These Wake County Property Tax Numbers Mean?

It's not as confusing as it looks.  The tax rates are based on the assessed value of the home, not the asking price. 

• Divide the assessed value by 100.

• Multiply the result by the combined rate on the right side of the table.

• The result will be your yearly property tax bill, as of 2011. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This table gives sample property tax bills for all the towns in Franklin County: Wake Forest, Bunn, Franklinton, Louisburg, and Youngsville.

Where Should I Live to Get the Lowest Property Tax Rate?

Your tax bill can be lower if your home or property is not actually within a municipality, or town.  If this is the case, you'll pay just the County rate, plus most likely a fire district tax. 

 

What County Will My New Home Be In?

When looking at properties, don't take the city address for granted - you could be in a different county, with different tax rates, depending on where exactly the property is located. For example, a Wake Forest home may lie in either Wake or Franklin County.

 

Check the Address of Your New Home

If there's a particular home that you're considering, you can go directly to the Franklin County Tax Records site, type in the address, and see the assessed value of the property.  

The reassessments have just been completed, though, and Franklin County is not noted for 100% accuracy in assessing the values of property, so what you see may be either higher or lower than the asking value of the property.  

If there is a discrepancy, don't be afraid to ask your real estate agent to pull comps for you!

 

Want to Compare Counties?

Alamance County Property Tax Rates 2011

Cumberland County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Chatham County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Durham County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Franklin County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Granville County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Johnston County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Harnett County  NC Property Tax Rates 2011

 

You may also be interested in:

New Home Communities and Lots in Wake Forest

One Story Homes in Franklin County

Main Floor Master Suite Homes in Franklin County

New Home Floor Plans in Franklin County