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Continuing waves of newcomers from the Northeast and other regions boosted both Carolinas in the ranks of the nation’s most populous states in new U.S. Census Bureau data being released today.
North Carolina passed New Jersey to become the nation’s 10th most populated state. And South Carolina, which broke into the ranks of the nation’s top 10 fastest growers, passed Louisiana to become No. 24. North Carolina gained more than 184,000 residents, while South Carolina’s ranks swelled by more than 74,000 between 2005 and 2006.
From Charlotte Observer
Two years ago, Jignesh Shroff and his wife looked for houses in what Shroff thought was his dream city, San Diego. Shroff woke up from the dream once he saw listing prices. He looked for other cities with saner real estate costs and ended up in Charlotte. He and his wife, Kathryn, live in a $327,000 home he said would have cost $1.5 million in San Diego. Home value wasn’t the only consideration. Shroff, a 32-year-old international tax manager for Ernst & Young, wanted to live in a city with a booming economy and temperate climate.
Remodeling projects for your home can be as intimidating as they are rewarding. Having the right team to get the job done can make a huge difference. The first thing is to determine what kind of professionals you’ll need for your particular project. Small jobs may only require trade specialists such as a plumbing contractor, while larger projects may necessitate architects, design-build companies, interior designers, or all of the above. Whatever help your remodel needs, selecting the companies or individuals that fit you and your project is important. Here are five ways to screen prospective contractors:
#1: Check their experience
How long have they been in business? How much work have they done on projects similar to yours?
Sometimes, life just hands us the inevitable: just when everything seems right with your home, something happens and you have to sell your dwelling. No matter what your reasons are for selling, remember that now is no time to dawdle, the process of preparing a home for sale can take a month or more. So, here’s how to start:
1. Take a Fresh Look at Your Home
Your home looks great to you, but a buyer wants to see it since he and his family will be living in it — so take a fresh look at your dwelling. Hop in your car, drive around the block, and then scrutinize your home as a prospective buyer will see it for the first time. First, consider what’s called “street appeal;” does it need washing or painting? Does the driveway need repair work? Is the landscaping in good shape? Remember, be very critical; your buyer will be.
