Showing posts with label Durham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Durham. Show all posts
Monday, January 23, 2012
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Buy A HUD Home Here!
|
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Free Paper Shredding and E-Waste Recycling in Durham
“Free Paper Shredding, E-Waste and Christmas tree Recycling Event.
When: Saturday, January 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The event will be held at the Durham Plaza Shopping Center in the old K-Mart parking lot, located at 2000 Avondale Drive, Durham.
What:
*The City will accept nearly all electronic devices with a cord.
This event will not accept large appliances, refrigerators, air conditioners, or any other appliances that contain Freon.
*Free confidential paper shredding will also be provided on site. Paper may contain paper clips and staples; however, hanging file folders will not be accepted.
*Christmas trees will also be accepted at this event. Trees taller than six feet should be cut in half. Residents should also remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, garland, and ornaments, as well as stands, nails, and other hardware.
Why: *Can't get someone to reuse that old computer monitor, that old TV or that broken coffee maker? Take it here and the city will recycle it.”
When: Saturday, January 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The event will be held at the Durham Plaza Shopping Center in the old K-Mart parking lot, located at 2000 Avondale Drive, Durham.
What:
*The City will accept nearly all electronic devices with a cord.
This event will not accept large appliances, refrigerators, air conditioners, or any other appliances that contain Freon.
*Free confidential paper shredding will also be provided on site. Paper may contain paper clips and staples; however, hanging file folders will not be accepted.
*Christmas trees will also be accepted at this event. Trees taller than six feet should be cut in half. Residents should also remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, garland, and ornaments, as well as stands, nails, and other hardware.
Why: *Can't get someone to reuse that old computer monitor, that old TV or that broken coffee maker? Take it here and the city will recycle it.”
Monday, January 10, 2011
What Should You Expect in 2011?
What Should You Expect in 2011, Part 1
Forecasts for the Economy and Employment – Their Impact on the Housing Market
The economy and housing markets have seen some rough times the last couple of years. But the good news is last year we saw some stabilization in 2010 – and 2011 should continue on the road to recovery.
To help you prepare for the coming year, YOU Magazine has put together a two-part overview of what to look for in 2011. In part one, we look at the big picture and discuss the outlook for the overall economy, the stock market, and the all-important employment market.
Then next month, we'll dig into what to look for in terms of the housing market, including home prices, the foreclosure crisis, new legislation that impacts the housing industry, and the direction of home loan rates in 2011.
Economic Outlook
Overall, the economy looks to have stabilized from the crisis situation a couple of years ago. Although there are still some global economic concerns in Europe, the U.S. economy appears positioned for continued growth and strengthening.
We see the United States' Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to finish the year up about 2.5% to 3% from where it ended 2010. This growth won't happen overnight, however, but instead will start out slow in the first half of the year and pickup steam in the second half.
Much of that growth should come from demand in other countries. Currently, the U.S. only derives about 12% of its GDP from exports. While that equates to a lot of money, it means that the U.S. relies less on exports than many other countries – and it means that there's room to grow. Already we've seen U.S. exports get back on track and they're primed for growth to countries in places like Asia and Latin America.
This is good news for the U.S. economy as a whole, as well as individuals because it sets the stage for growth while still allowing U.S. consumers to catch their breath. After all, the tough economic climate over the last couple of years has hit U.S. consumers hard and has forced many Americans to reprioritize their family budgets to focus more on their savings.
Stocks Make Their Mark
The stock market had a good year and saw some strong earnings in 2010, continuing its climb out of the financial crisis that began a couple of years ago. With the strong finish to last year, the stage is set for another good year – and we could see the S&P 500 grow another 7% to 10% over the next twelve months.
That said, the corporate earnings may look like they've slowed. That's because of the way that experts compare year-over-year earnings. For example, corporate earnings showed strong improvement coming out of the recession because they were compared to the extreme lows of the year before. However after a strong 2010, the increase in earnings won't be nearly as dramatic. So while the year-over-year increase may appear to flatten out, the important thing to focus on is that corporate earnings should show solid, steady improvement.
The segments of the market that can look for a strong showing in 2011 include energy stocks, global companies that specialize in high-tech equipment, and even steel producers which should benefit from global sales. Those segments should benefit from strong business spending around the world as the economy improves and companies start to reinvest and expand.
Labor Looks Ahead
The big economic picture is important, but millions of Americans are really focused on the labor market. Will they find a job? Will they keep their job? Those are some of the most important questions families face. And the good news is that for many families the outlook should be better in 2011.
Here's why. The good news for the overall economy and for corporate earnings in 2010 and heading into 2011 should help the labor market improve. Let's look at two of the factors that should influence employment in the coming months.
First, many companies have seen higher earnings over the last year but those earnings haven't translated into more hiring. Instead, companies have been cautiously waiting for signs that the economy was stable – after all, we heard a lot of talk in the past about the possibility of a double-dip recession. In other words, full-time employment was held back by insecurity and fears of the future. Now that most economic reports appear to be on a steady climb out of the recession and confidence is increasing, many companies will be more willing to hire.
Second, during the last couple of years, companies were trying to keep their operations lean and efficient. That means that manufacturing companies worked hard to get the highest level of production possible out of their current work forces or by only hiring temporary or part-time employees. While that may have been a good move when the economy was questionable, it means that production has hit a ceiling.
But now that many retail companies are beginning to restock their shelves, manufacturing companies are seeing higher demand for their products. In order to satisfy that demand and increase manufacturing production, companies will need more people on the factory floor to satisfy demand, which will lead to an uptick in full-time employment.
Based on those factors, watch for the labor market to continue looking better in the coming months, with more noticeable improvements coming in the latter part of the year.
Unfortunately, we're not completely out of the woods yet in terms of the overall unemployment rate. While hiring will pick up, we need to see a net growth of 200,000 jobs each month just to absorb all of the new people entering the job market – and that's just to hold steady, so we'll need to see even better numbers for the unemployment rate to actually drop. Based on that, we won't see a noticeable drop in the unemployment rate until some time in 2012…and even then it will take a handful of years to bring us back to the lower unemployment rates seen before the recession.
The point is the job market is a work in progress and will take some time, but we will see hiring improve in the coming months – and that should help ease the burden for millions of Americans.
What Does All That Mean to Housing and Home Loan Rates?
Although people tend to talk about the economy, the stock market, and employment separately in the news, the reality is they're all related. For example, an improving economy leads to better corporate earnings and increased manufacturing demand, which in turn leads to increased hiring.
In addition, all of the aspects discussed above influence the housing market and home loan rates. One of the biggest influences is employment, so improvements in employment will be good for the housing industry. After all, people who are unemployed, under-employed, or are afraid of losing their jobs are less likely to purchase a new home.
In terms of home prices, a more secure employment market can help home prices stabilize, as fewer people are at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. In addition, as we'll discuss next month, the improvements in the labor market should open the door for more first-time homebuyers to join the ranks of homeowners.
That said, it's important to remember that all real estate markets are local…and that means that there can be enormous variations across the country. In areas where employment is struggling, the housing market will continue to struggle as well. However, in many parts of the country where the bottom has been tested and employment is improving, we'll see the housing market on the mend in 2011.
But home prices and homebuyers aren't the only aspects of the housing market impacted by the direction of the economy.
As stated above, 2011 should look better than 2010 in many respects. But, good economic news is a double-edged sword, as it can lead to higher rates. That's right, good economic news can be bad news for home loans rates.
There's actually a pretty simple explanation for this seemingly strange phenomenon. But, you first need to understand two important financial concepts:
Big money managers – who are always in search of higher returns – avoid holding onto cash. So they invest in both Stocks and Bonds.
Home loan rates are actually based on the performance of Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), which are a type of Bond.
When we put those two facts together, we begin to understand the relationship between good economic news and higher home loan rates.
Here's why: Whenever the economy is on fire and there are good economic reports along with positive economic news, investors tend to put more money into Stocks. That's because Stocks are more risky, but they generally offer higher returns. To do this, however, investors must remove some of their money from less-risky Bonds. This decreased demand in Bonds causes Bond prices to worsen, which causes home loan rates to rise.
YOU Magazine will dig into the forecast for the housing market and home loan rates more in Part 2 of this article next month. But for now, the important thing to note is that home loan rates have gradually been rising and that trend looks to continue in 2011.
The good news is that home loan rates are still extremely attractive and are still near historic lows…for now. So, if you or someone you know has been thinking about purchasing or refinancing a home, now is the time to get started as we head into 2011.
Forecasts for the Economy and Employment – Their Impact on the Housing Market
The economy and housing markets have seen some rough times the last couple of years. But the good news is last year we saw some stabilization in 2010 – and 2011 should continue on the road to recovery.
To help you prepare for the coming year, YOU Magazine has put together a two-part overview of what to look for in 2011. In part one, we look at the big picture and discuss the outlook for the overall economy, the stock market, and the all-important employment market.
Then next month, we'll dig into what to look for in terms of the housing market, including home prices, the foreclosure crisis, new legislation that impacts the housing industry, and the direction of home loan rates in 2011.
Economic Outlook
Overall, the economy looks to have stabilized from the crisis situation a couple of years ago. Although there are still some global economic concerns in Europe, the U.S. economy appears positioned for continued growth and strengthening.
We see the United States' Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to finish the year up about 2.5% to 3% from where it ended 2010. This growth won't happen overnight, however, but instead will start out slow in the first half of the year and pickup steam in the second half.
Much of that growth should come from demand in other countries. Currently, the U.S. only derives about 12% of its GDP from exports. While that equates to a lot of money, it means that the U.S. relies less on exports than many other countries – and it means that there's room to grow. Already we've seen U.S. exports get back on track and they're primed for growth to countries in places like Asia and Latin America.
This is good news for the U.S. economy as a whole, as well as individuals because it sets the stage for growth while still allowing U.S. consumers to catch their breath. After all, the tough economic climate over the last couple of years has hit U.S. consumers hard and has forced many Americans to reprioritize their family budgets to focus more on their savings.
Stocks Make Their Mark
The stock market had a good year and saw some strong earnings in 2010, continuing its climb out of the financial crisis that began a couple of years ago. With the strong finish to last year, the stage is set for another good year – and we could see the S&P 500 grow another 7% to 10% over the next twelve months.
That said, the corporate earnings may look like they've slowed. That's because of the way that experts compare year-over-year earnings. For example, corporate earnings showed strong improvement coming out of the recession because they were compared to the extreme lows of the year before. However after a strong 2010, the increase in earnings won't be nearly as dramatic. So while the year-over-year increase may appear to flatten out, the important thing to focus on is that corporate earnings should show solid, steady improvement.
The segments of the market that can look for a strong showing in 2011 include energy stocks, global companies that specialize in high-tech equipment, and even steel producers which should benefit from global sales. Those segments should benefit from strong business spending around the world as the economy improves and companies start to reinvest and expand.
Labor Looks Ahead
The big economic picture is important, but millions of Americans are really focused on the labor market. Will they find a job? Will they keep their job? Those are some of the most important questions families face. And the good news is that for many families the outlook should be better in 2011.
Here's why. The good news for the overall economy and for corporate earnings in 2010 and heading into 2011 should help the labor market improve. Let's look at two of the factors that should influence employment in the coming months.
First, many companies have seen higher earnings over the last year but those earnings haven't translated into more hiring. Instead, companies have been cautiously waiting for signs that the economy was stable – after all, we heard a lot of talk in the past about the possibility of a double-dip recession. In other words, full-time employment was held back by insecurity and fears of the future. Now that most economic reports appear to be on a steady climb out of the recession and confidence is increasing, many companies will be more willing to hire.
Second, during the last couple of years, companies were trying to keep their operations lean and efficient. That means that manufacturing companies worked hard to get the highest level of production possible out of their current work forces or by only hiring temporary or part-time employees. While that may have been a good move when the economy was questionable, it means that production has hit a ceiling.
But now that many retail companies are beginning to restock their shelves, manufacturing companies are seeing higher demand for their products. In order to satisfy that demand and increase manufacturing production, companies will need more people on the factory floor to satisfy demand, which will lead to an uptick in full-time employment.
Based on those factors, watch for the labor market to continue looking better in the coming months, with more noticeable improvements coming in the latter part of the year.
Unfortunately, we're not completely out of the woods yet in terms of the overall unemployment rate. While hiring will pick up, we need to see a net growth of 200,000 jobs each month just to absorb all of the new people entering the job market – and that's just to hold steady, so we'll need to see even better numbers for the unemployment rate to actually drop. Based on that, we won't see a noticeable drop in the unemployment rate until some time in 2012…and even then it will take a handful of years to bring us back to the lower unemployment rates seen before the recession.
The point is the job market is a work in progress and will take some time, but we will see hiring improve in the coming months – and that should help ease the burden for millions of Americans.
What Does All That Mean to Housing and Home Loan Rates?
Although people tend to talk about the economy, the stock market, and employment separately in the news, the reality is they're all related. For example, an improving economy leads to better corporate earnings and increased manufacturing demand, which in turn leads to increased hiring.
In addition, all of the aspects discussed above influence the housing market and home loan rates. One of the biggest influences is employment, so improvements in employment will be good for the housing industry. After all, people who are unemployed, under-employed, or are afraid of losing their jobs are less likely to purchase a new home.
In terms of home prices, a more secure employment market can help home prices stabilize, as fewer people are at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. In addition, as we'll discuss next month, the improvements in the labor market should open the door for more first-time homebuyers to join the ranks of homeowners.
That said, it's important to remember that all real estate markets are local…and that means that there can be enormous variations across the country. In areas where employment is struggling, the housing market will continue to struggle as well. However, in many parts of the country where the bottom has been tested and employment is improving, we'll see the housing market on the mend in 2011.
But home prices and homebuyers aren't the only aspects of the housing market impacted by the direction of the economy.
As stated above, 2011 should look better than 2010 in many respects. But, good economic news is a double-edged sword, as it can lead to higher rates. That's right, good economic news can be bad news for home loans rates.
There's actually a pretty simple explanation for this seemingly strange phenomenon. But, you first need to understand two important financial concepts:
Big money managers – who are always in search of higher returns – avoid holding onto cash. So they invest in both Stocks and Bonds.
Home loan rates are actually based on the performance of Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), which are a type of Bond.
When we put those two facts together, we begin to understand the relationship between good economic news and higher home loan rates.
Here's why: Whenever the economy is on fire and there are good economic reports along with positive economic news, investors tend to put more money into Stocks. That's because Stocks are more risky, but they generally offer higher returns. To do this, however, investors must remove some of their money from less-risky Bonds. This decreased demand in Bonds causes Bond prices to worsen, which causes home loan rates to rise.
YOU Magazine will dig into the forecast for the housing market and home loan rates more in Part 2 of this article next month. But for now, the important thing to note is that home loan rates have gradually been rising and that trend looks to continue in 2011.
The good news is that home loan rates are still extremely attractive and are still near historic lows…for now. So, if you or someone you know has been thinking about purchasing or refinancing a home, now is the time to get started as we head into 2011.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Workshop Series for Out of Work Professionals
Durham Offers Workshop Series for Out-of-Work Professionals
Monthly Workshops Facilitated by Industry Professionals; November Workshop Scheduled for Thursday
DURHAM, N.C. – Out-of-work professionals interested in sharpening their skills to become more competitive in today’s job market should mark their calendars now for a new workshop series designed specifically for adult professionals.
Durham JobLink Career Center is now accepting applicants for the Professional Placement Network (PPN), which offers targeted career services to adult professionals through the expansion of networking opportunities, workshops, development of business partnerships, and job referrals. Designed to provide opportunities for mid-to-upper level professionals, who have earned at least $30,000 per year or have received higher education credentials or professional certifications, PPN provides a place for professionals to come together to share ideas, employment leads, and current job market information.
According to Nicholas McCoy, senior workforce development manager for the City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the network is tailored for out-of-work professionals who need help re-entering the workforce. “For many out-of-work professionals, they haven’t been on a job interview in many years nor have they been through the modern job-search process, which can be very overwhelming and frustrating,” McCoy said. “Our goal with the Professional Placement Network is to provide participants with the necessary tools to develop successful networking strategies in today’s job market environment. Therefore, we’ve tailored the series to apply to these types of unemployed professionals, many who have considerable experience, credentials, and salary histories.”
Workshops are held monthly and will cover topics ranging from social networking to defining career goals to résumé preparation to interviewing skills. This month’s workshop will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Beyú Caffé, located at 335 W. Main Street, Durham. The workshop, focusing on the use of social media and LinkedIn to find employment and networking leads, will be facilitated by Steve Hong, senior web developer and specialist in online marketing with CrossComm, Inc.
Additional workshop topics are scheduled as follows, with location information for the 2011 workshops to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
• December 16, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Who Am I? Taking Personal Inventories” – Main Library Branch, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham
• January 20, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Transitions: Defining Career Goals & Developing Your Plan” – Main Library Branch, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham
• February 17, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Branding Yourself: Resumes That Work/Personal Infomercial” – Location to be determined
• March 17, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Interviewing: Practice Makes Perfect” – Location to be determined
• April 21, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Working with Staffing Agencies” – Location to be determined
• May 19, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Retooling in Today’s Economy” – Location to be determined
• June 16, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.– “Becoming an Entrepreneur” – Location to be determined
Participants interesting in learning more about the Professional Placement Network should contact Sontina Greene, adult program coordinator with the City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, by e-mail at sontina.greene@durhamnc.gov or by calling (919) 560-4965.
About the Office of Economic and Workforce Development
The City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) seeks to increase the city’s tax base through several revitalization initiatives, including new development efforts in the central city area. The department also identifies and recruits target industries as well as assesses and trains Durham residents to fill new jobs. For more information, visit www.DurhamEconomicDevelopment.org.
Monthly Workshops Facilitated by Industry Professionals; November Workshop Scheduled for Thursday
DURHAM, N.C. – Out-of-work professionals interested in sharpening their skills to become more competitive in today’s job market should mark their calendars now for a new workshop series designed specifically for adult professionals.
Durham JobLink Career Center is now accepting applicants for the Professional Placement Network (PPN), which offers targeted career services to adult professionals through the expansion of networking opportunities, workshops, development of business partnerships, and job referrals. Designed to provide opportunities for mid-to-upper level professionals, who have earned at least $30,000 per year or have received higher education credentials or professional certifications, PPN provides a place for professionals to come together to share ideas, employment leads, and current job market information.
According to Nicholas McCoy, senior workforce development manager for the City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the network is tailored for out-of-work professionals who need help re-entering the workforce. “For many out-of-work professionals, they haven’t been on a job interview in many years nor have they been through the modern job-search process, which can be very overwhelming and frustrating,” McCoy said. “Our goal with the Professional Placement Network is to provide participants with the necessary tools to develop successful networking strategies in today’s job market environment. Therefore, we’ve tailored the series to apply to these types of unemployed professionals, many who have considerable experience, credentials, and salary histories.”
Workshops are held monthly and will cover topics ranging from social networking to defining career goals to résumé preparation to interviewing skills. This month’s workshop will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Beyú Caffé, located at 335 W. Main Street, Durham. The workshop, focusing on the use of social media and LinkedIn to find employment and networking leads, will be facilitated by Steve Hong, senior web developer and specialist in online marketing with CrossComm, Inc.
Additional workshop topics are scheduled as follows, with location information for the 2011 workshops to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
• December 16, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Who Am I? Taking Personal Inventories” – Main Library Branch, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham
• January 20, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Transitions: Defining Career Goals & Developing Your Plan” – Main Library Branch, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham
• February 17, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Branding Yourself: Resumes That Work/Personal Infomercial” – Location to be determined
• March 17, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Interviewing: Practice Makes Perfect” – Location to be determined
• April 21, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Working with Staffing Agencies” – Location to be determined
• May 19, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – “Retooling in Today’s Economy” – Location to be determined
• June 16, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.– “Becoming an Entrepreneur” – Location to be determined
Participants interesting in learning more about the Professional Placement Network should contact Sontina Greene, adult program coordinator with the City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, by e-mail at sontina.greene@durhamnc.gov or by calling (919) 560-4965.
About the Office of Economic and Workforce Development
The City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) seeks to increase the city’s tax base through several revitalization initiatives, including new development efforts in the central city area. The department also identifies and recruits target industries as well as assesses and trains Durham residents to fill new jobs. For more information, visit www.DurhamEconomicDevelopment.org.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Contracts and Closings-Durham Tech
Classes Available at Durham Tech
Hello All,
I need a few more students for the Post 2 - Contracts and Closings course. We delayed the start by a week, so it is scheduled to start November 8 and end December 8. Many of you have already taken the class, but you may know of someone at your firm that has not taken it yet. I would appreciate your referral!!
Register form at www.dtccregister.com .
Course number - 19889 - November 8 through December 8 (my birthday - no gifts required) - will meet Monday / Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Thanks for your help!!
Matt Davies
Hello All,
I need a few more students for the Post 2 - Contracts and Closings course. We delayed the start by a week, so it is scheduled to start November 8 and end December 8. Many of you have already taken the class, but you may know of someone at your firm that has not taken it yet. I would appreciate your referral!!
Register form at www.dtccregister.com .
Course number - 19889 - November 8 through December 8 (my birthday - no gifts required) - will meet Monday / Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Thanks for your help!!
Matt Davies
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Durham Energy Fair is Free and Today at 11 am!
Durham Energy Fair October 26
Event is Free and Open to the Public
DURHAM, N.C. – Durham residents interested in learning how to save money on their energy bills should make plans now to attend the Durham Energy Fair.
To celebrate Energy Awareness Month, Durham County Government and the City of Durham are sponsoring the Durham Energy Fair on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, to help provide information to residents and local government employees about the many ways to reduce energy and save on energy bills. The free event is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Durham County Main Library, located at 300 N. Roxboro Street.
The fair will feature more than 20 exhibitors, providing information on topics ranging from solar hot-water systems to energy audits to energy-efficient landscaping. The Durham Energy Fair exhibitors include:
Durham Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission
Bountiful Backyards
Carbon Free Home
Carolina Solar Security, Inc.
Energy Handyman
Evangelist Service Company (Geothermal)
Green Horizons
Healthy Home Insulation
Home Depot
Live Green, Inc.
NC Greenpower
Plot Watt
PSNC
Self-Help Credit Union
Skyward Solar
Solar Consultants
Strata Solar
Sundog Solutions
Durham City-County Green Teams
Triangle Sealed Crawlspace
Triangle Transit
City of Durham Department of Water Management
Durham Energy Fair attendees will not only learn about numerous ways to save energy and reduce energy bills at home, they will also learn about energy-saving tips for traveling and at work. Attendees will also receive information about the Energy Star tax holiday, taking place November 5-7 throughout North Carolina. Participants in the Durham Energy Fair Scavenger Hunt will also be eligible to win prizes, including a $50 gift certificate to Home Depot, home energy monitors, programmable thermostats, water conservation kits, blueberry bushes, and $50 worth of solar blocking window film.
“As colder weather sets in, a lot of people want to know how to make their homes more comfortable while saving energy and money,” said Tobin Freid, manager of the Durham City/County Sustainability Office. “There are opportunities to reduce energy use in so many ways. The variety of exhibitors at the Durham Energy Fair will provide ideas and products for people to make smart choices about changes they can make in their own lives to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Durham Energy Fair is one of many activities developed by Durham County Government and the City of Durham to educate employees and Durham residents on ways to improve the environment. Durham County Government and the City of Durham adopted the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan in 2007. Durham was the first community in North Carolina to adopt a plan to reduce emissions contributing to climate change.
For more information about the Durham Energy Fair or the Durham Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan, contact Freid at (919) 560-7999 or via e-mail at tfreid@durhamcountync.gov or visit www.GreenerDurham.net.
Event is Free and Open to the Public
DURHAM, N.C. – Durham residents interested in learning how to save money on their energy bills should make plans now to attend the Durham Energy Fair.
To celebrate Energy Awareness Month, Durham County Government and the City of Durham are sponsoring the Durham Energy Fair on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, to help provide information to residents and local government employees about the many ways to reduce energy and save on energy bills. The free event is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Durham County Main Library, located at 300 N. Roxboro Street.
The fair will feature more than 20 exhibitors, providing information on topics ranging from solar hot-water systems to energy audits to energy-efficient landscaping. The Durham Energy Fair exhibitors include:
Durham Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission
Bountiful Backyards
Carbon Free Home
Carolina Solar Security, Inc.
Energy Handyman
Evangelist Service Company (Geothermal)
Green Horizons
Healthy Home Insulation
Home Depot
Live Green, Inc.
NC Greenpower
Plot Watt
PSNC
Self-Help Credit Union
Skyward Solar
Solar Consultants
Strata Solar
Sundog Solutions
Durham City-County Green Teams
Triangle Sealed Crawlspace
Triangle Transit
City of Durham Department of Water Management
Durham Energy Fair attendees will not only learn about numerous ways to save energy and reduce energy bills at home, they will also learn about energy-saving tips for traveling and at work. Attendees will also receive information about the Energy Star tax holiday, taking place November 5-7 throughout North Carolina. Participants in the Durham Energy Fair Scavenger Hunt will also be eligible to win prizes, including a $50 gift certificate to Home Depot, home energy monitors, programmable thermostats, water conservation kits, blueberry bushes, and $50 worth of solar blocking window film.
“As colder weather sets in, a lot of people want to know how to make their homes more comfortable while saving energy and money,” said Tobin Freid, manager of the Durham City/County Sustainability Office. “There are opportunities to reduce energy use in so many ways. The variety of exhibitors at the Durham Energy Fair will provide ideas and products for people to make smart choices about changes they can make in their own lives to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Durham Energy Fair is one of many activities developed by Durham County Government and the City of Durham to educate employees and Durham residents on ways to improve the environment. Durham County Government and the City of Durham adopted the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan in 2007. Durham was the first community in North Carolina to adopt a plan to reduce emissions contributing to climate change.
For more information about the Durham Energy Fair or the Durham Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan, contact Freid at (919) 560-7999 or via e-mail at tfreid@durhamcountync.gov or visit www.GreenerDurham.net.
Paper Shredding & E-Waste Recycling Event Success
Durham Reports Paper Shredding & E-Waste Recycling Event Success
Residents Reminded to Recycle E-Waste Year-Round
DURHAM, N.C. – Durham residents came out in force and made the free paper shredding and electronic scrap (e-waste) event offered at Northgate Mall on October 2nd a huge success.
According to Donald Long, director of the City’s Department of Solid Waste Management, approximately 1,560 vehicles dropped off 73,820 pounds of e-waste, such as computers and televisions, as well as 34,600 pounds of paper for shredding and 7,300 pounds of cardboard at the event.
“The turnout for this event was staggering and we had to turn folks away about 45 minutes before the event officially ended. We had simply run out of resources to continue to properly place electronics on the pallets and the shredding truck was filled to capacity,” Long said. “Many residents gave us very positive feedback and were very excited that such an event was taking place. Our staff was so pleased at the success of this event that we plan to begin holding one on a quarterly basis, with the next one tentatively scheduled in January 2011.”
Durham residents who missed the successful event at can still safely and conveniently recycle their old computers and televisions. The City’s Department of Solid Waste Management is reminding residents that computers and televisions are accepted for recycling throughout the entire year at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The facility, located at 1900 E. Club Blvd., is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays through Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more details about other items accepted at this facility, contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 or visit the City’s website at www.durhamnc.gov/departments/solid/hazardous_waste.cfm.
Residents Reminded to Recycle E-Waste Year-Round
DURHAM, N.C. – Durham residents came out in force and made the free paper shredding and electronic scrap (e-waste) event offered at Northgate Mall on October 2nd a huge success.
According to Donald Long, director of the City’s Department of Solid Waste Management, approximately 1,560 vehicles dropped off 73,820 pounds of e-waste, such as computers and televisions, as well as 34,600 pounds of paper for shredding and 7,300 pounds of cardboard at the event.
“The turnout for this event was staggering and we had to turn folks away about 45 minutes before the event officially ended. We had simply run out of resources to continue to properly place electronics on the pallets and the shredding truck was filled to capacity,” Long said. “Many residents gave us very positive feedback and were very excited that such an event was taking place. Our staff was so pleased at the success of this event that we plan to begin holding one on a quarterly basis, with the next one tentatively scheduled in January 2011.”
Durham residents who missed the successful event at can still safely and conveniently recycle their old computers and televisions. The City’s Department of Solid Waste Management is reminding residents that computers and televisions are accepted for recycling throughout the entire year at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The facility, located at 1900 E. Club Blvd., is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays through Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more details about other items accepted at this facility, contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 or visit the City’s website at www.durhamnc.gov/departments/solid/hazardous_waste.cfm.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
FHA Programs:
• As the leading advocate for homeownership, the National Association of Realtors® strongly supports the Federal Housing Administration’s single- and multifamily mortgage insurance programs.
• The FHA single-family mortgage program has played an important and vital role in the mortgage marketplace. Nearly 33 million families have achieved the dream of homeownership through FHA since 1934.
• NAR has long maintained that the principal barrier to homeownership is accumulating the money needed for downpayment and closing costs.
• Many first-time home buyers rely on FHA loans to purchase a home, which only require a 3.5 percent downpayment, in many cases
• Major reforms in recent years and increased loan limits have greatly increased FHA's market-share. However, FHA continues to operate with 30-year old technology and limited staffing resources.
• Although FHA's capital reserve fund has fallen below the congressionally mandated level of 2 percent. FHA also has a cash reserve account separate from the capital reserve. FHA's actual total reserves are higher than they have ever been - with combined assets of $30.4 billion.
• Because FHA plays a vital role in helping families achieve the dream of homeownership, it must be strengthened and supported.
• FHA has taken steps to ensure its long-term financial soundness.
• NAR continues to lobby Congress to permanently increase the FHA loan limit.
• NAR continues to advocate on behalf of the FHA single-family mortgage insurance program and has called on Congress and the new administration to work together to appropriately fund the staffing and infrastructure that will complete FHA modernization.
Background
In October 2009, President Obama signed legislation that contained a provision to keep the existing higher FHA loan limits of 125 percent of the median home sales price, capped at $729,750. This increase is only temporary and will expire on December 31, 2010 to 115 percent of the median home sales price, capped at $625,500.
In October 2009, FHA announced that its capital reserve fund had fallen below the congressionally mandated level of 2 percent. The capital reserves are not FHA’s only reserve fund – FHA also has a cash reserve account separate from the capital reserve. FHA actual total reserves are higher than they have ever been – with combined assets of $30.4 billion. However, the drop in capital reserves has led Congress and the administration to call for changes to strengthen FHA.
In January 2010, FHA announced major changes to ensure its long-term financial soundness, including:
• The upfront mortgage insurance premium will increase but may be financed.
• Borrowers with a credit score below 580 will be required to have at least a 10 percent down payment (the minimum down payment will remain at 3.5 percent for all other borrowers).
• FHA will seek legislative authority to increase the annual premium (currently capped at 0.55 percent).
• Seller concessions will be reduced from 6 percent to 3 percent.
NAR partnered with FHA to create a toolkit for Realtors® and home
• The FHA single-family mortgage program has played an important and vital role in the mortgage marketplace. Nearly 33 million families have achieved the dream of homeownership through FHA since 1934.
• NAR has long maintained that the principal barrier to homeownership is accumulating the money needed for downpayment and closing costs.
• Many first-time home buyers rely on FHA loans to purchase a home, which only require a 3.5 percent downpayment, in many cases
• Major reforms in recent years and increased loan limits have greatly increased FHA's market-share. However, FHA continues to operate with 30-year old technology and limited staffing resources.
• Although FHA's capital reserve fund has fallen below the congressionally mandated level of 2 percent. FHA also has a cash reserve account separate from the capital reserve. FHA's actual total reserves are higher than they have ever been - with combined assets of $30.4 billion.
• Because FHA plays a vital role in helping families achieve the dream of homeownership, it must be strengthened and supported.
• FHA has taken steps to ensure its long-term financial soundness.
• NAR continues to lobby Congress to permanently increase the FHA loan limit.
• NAR continues to advocate on behalf of the FHA single-family mortgage insurance program and has called on Congress and the new administration to work together to appropriately fund the staffing and infrastructure that will complete FHA modernization.
Background
In October 2009, President Obama signed legislation that contained a provision to keep the existing higher FHA loan limits of 125 percent of the median home sales price, capped at $729,750. This increase is only temporary and will expire on December 31, 2010 to 115 percent of the median home sales price, capped at $625,500.
In October 2009, FHA announced that its capital reserve fund had fallen below the congressionally mandated level of 2 percent. The capital reserves are not FHA’s only reserve fund – FHA also has a cash reserve account separate from the capital reserve. FHA actual total reserves are higher than they have ever been – with combined assets of $30.4 billion. However, the drop in capital reserves has led Congress and the administration to call for changes to strengthen FHA.
In January 2010, FHA announced major changes to ensure its long-term financial soundness, including:
• The upfront mortgage insurance premium will increase but may be financed.
• Borrowers with a credit score below 580 will be required to have at least a 10 percent down payment (the minimum down payment will remain at 3.5 percent for all other borrowers).
• FHA will seek legislative authority to increase the annual premium (currently capped at 0.55 percent).
• Seller concessions will be reduced from 6 percent to 3 percent.
NAR partnered with FHA to create a toolkit for Realtors® and home
Monday, August 23, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)