Bill's Musings

It is finally below freezing in my hamlet of Durham, North Carolina, and I am very thankful for the extra insulation that is in our attic now that keeps our furnace from running all night. Although that upgrade was one of the ones made as a result of the Neighborhood Energy Retrofit Program of 20...

1810 Roxboro Road, Durham, NC 27701     This stone-faced beauty was built in 1938 and sits on a double lot that is over one-half of an acre. It presides over the historic Roxboro Road at the Duke Park Beaver Dam Lodge.  Here is the MLS listing: RES – Buyer Full     It will only need a slight touc...

Durham has recently received the accolade as being the Tastiest Town in the South presented by Southern Living magazine. While the article lists several seminal restaurants here in the Bull City, it does have at least one significant oversight.     Saltbox Seafood Joint is a tasty fish joint that...

Final Walk-Through   Today’s the day! You found the perfect house, made an offer, negotiated the price, had an inspection and ensured your mortgage. Now, the only thing standing in the way of you and “home sweet home” is your final walk-through. A walk-through is normally scheduled the day of, or...

Hey everybody, have you heard? Durham, North Carolina has been awarded the title of the Tastiest Town in the South by Southern Living! Next month's magazine will have a section more focused on our delicatable eateries, but here is a taste of what will be offered. I have only lived here since 2009...

Quick Tips for Selling Quickly     Patience is a virtue for just about any circumstance including selling your home. Yet sometimes you must sell quickly when a job opportunity arises or you face an abrupt lifestyle change. Assuming your home is in good condition and free of liens, here are severa...

                  Believe it or not, after months of searching countless homes, finding the perfect one, negotiating price    finally agreeing to a deal, a sale can fall apart over a disagreement about curtains. When striking a deal to sell a home, it’s important that you are perfectly clear abou...

    Down Payment Tips     Many people dream of owning a home but don't think it's possible because they lack the resources for a down payment and closing costs. Here are tips for securing that down payment. 1) Borrow from your retirement account: Many people have been investing in a 401(k) plan o...

   Come one, Come All (providing that you are at least 21 years old) to Durham's 17th Annual World Beer Festival this weekend at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Tickets at the door at $45, and they are not sold out yet.        With the price of admission, you will receive a small glass so that y...

For the 23rd year in a row, the Duke University Medical Center was included in a report by U.S. News and World Report that ranks the top hospitals in the nation. This year the hospital was named the top hospital in North Carolina, and the 8th best in the entire nation.  This is another point of p...