Renewable Energy Sources in North Carolina

Alternative Electricity Through NC Greenpower

If you want to take advantage of using cleaner energy every month, you'll want to check out NC Greenpower. 

For as little as $4 per month, customers can opt to use cleaner, greener energy sources like:

Solar - completely renewable energy straight from the sun.

Water - generates electricity without using up fossil fuels or polluting.

Wind - harnessing the energy of the wind is clean and green.

Biomass - we don't hear about this one as often, but methane gas can be harnessed for energy

So why do these types of energy cost extra? 

These types of energy are often more expensive, and currently are produced on a smaller scale.  With customer opting directly for alternative sources of electricity, these volunteer premiums are used to offset the higher costs of developing and producing renewable energy.  NC Greenpower is administrated by the Advanced Energy Corporation (AEC), an independent, non-profit organization with a 22-year history of working with renewable energy, energy efficiency and electric utilities.

How Many Alternate Energy Sources are available in North Carolina?

According to NC Greenpower, there are currently:

176 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

3 Wind Generators

3 Landfill Methane Gas Generators

4 Small Hydroelectric Generators

How Many NC Residents Have Signed Up?

As of June 30, 2008, 13,880 North Carolina residents have opted to join the NC Greenpower program.  These alternate sources generate 29,758 monthly 100 kWh blocks.

Each $4.00 monthly premium purchases a single 100 kWh block, and customers can sign up for as many blocks as they'd like.  The premium is tax deductible at the end of the year. 

Find out more about the NC Greenpower program here.

NC Greenpower is the first green energy program in the nation to win support from every one of the state's utility providers!

Save Energy in Your NC Home

Find out more about custom homes in the Raleigh, NC area that offer energy and water saving features, without breaking the bank. 

Save Energy
Save Water

Energy Star Certified Home

Velux Solar Water Heater

You may also be interested in these popular green building topics: 

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

Real Estate Prices in Wake County NC

Finding the Most Affordable Area of Wake County

Raleigh, NC sits in the heart of Wake County.  As one point of the Triangle, Raleigh offers tremendous cultural experiences, great jobs, and much more.   Raleigh has been rated a Top 10 Best Place to Live over and over again. 

So how much does it cost to live in the Raleigh, NC area?

We took a quick look at some sales numbers from June-August of 2008, to help find a comparitive cost for homes in the Raleigh area.   This is specific to Wake County, NC only.

Overall, this gives a good picture of the comparitive costs of each of the towns within Wake County, including Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Willow Spring.

While you may find a brand-new home in Cary with 2759 square feet and all the trimmings for $355,869, there's a few factors to keep in mind:

-  Sales of land (with no home) are included in the total average sales price. 

-  Sales of townhomes, condos, and duplexes are included in these averages.

-  Sales of older homes (a large percentage of homes were built before 1990) are included in these averages.

In Wake Forest, for example, there are quite a few luxury home communities, which pulls the average price up. 

However, there are also some great opportunities for homes in the $200s and even $100s - it all depends on what the buyer is looking for. 

There are other factors to consider, such as amenities, shopping, schools, commute distance, size of lot, and surrounding neighborhoods.  And even within a single town, there are a great variety of different neighborhoods with different amenities and features.

A town like Knightdale may have more "starter" communities, while Cary and North Raleigh offer more "luxury" communities. 

You may also be interested in:

Jobs in the Raleigh Area

Triangle Area Market Reports - How's The Real Estate Market in Raleigh?

Shopping in the Raleigh Area - What Kind of Shopping Is There?

Raleigh Relocation Package - All About the Raleigh Area!

Which Part of the Triangle is Cheapest to Live?  Property Tax Guide

There are many features that make living much easier for someone with reduced mobility, or someone who anticipates reduced mobility or wheelchair dependence in the future. 

It helps to know exactly what features you'll need, and which you won't, particularly as you start searching for your new home.  Depending on your current level of mobility, you'll want to consider two different options:  Adaptable Homes and Accessible Homes.

What's the Difference Between Adaptable and Accessible Homes?

An Adaptable home has key structural features that either allow easy circulation, or can be easily changed in the future to adapt to a different level of needs.  Some of the top features you'll see in an adaptable home are these:

Features of an Adaptable Home:

- An adaptable home will be built on a relatively flat or level lot with paved walkways from parking and sidewalk.

-An adaptable home will offer a ground-level entrance, or at maximum, an entrance with at most one or two steps that can easily be later converted into a ramp with the required slope of 1" of height for every 12" of length.

-An adaptable home should offer a first floor with no steps and no abrupt floor height changes, ie, a sunken family room would be inappropriate.

-Wider than standard doorways should be included in an adaptable home, with 32" or more clear width and a maximum of 1/2" height on the thresholds.

-Hallways should be wider than normal in an adaptable home.  Width should be at least 3'8", but ideally should be 4' to 5' wide. 

-At least one bathroom in an adaptable home should be large enough for later conversion to full accessibility if necessary, with a 32" clear door opening and a 5'x5' clear floor space for turning radius.

-An adaptable home should have a kitchen that is planned for wheelchair mobility.  Most likely an island kitchen will not give the mobility needed.  A U or L shaped kitchen with plenty of turning radius is ideal. 

Features of an Accessible Home

An accessible home should contain all the features of an adaptable home, with further modifications.  However, the number and type of features can vary greatly. 

Wheelchairs themselves come in a wide variety of widths, so the widths of hallways and doorways can vary as well. 

The needs of the individual with the disability can vary greatly as well. 

Is the individual the sole occupant of the home, capable of meeting all their needs with the correct equipment?  Or is the individual living with a caretaker or extended family?  If the individual has no need to cook, a modified kitchen may not be required beyond perhaps an accessible space and a lowered countertop area. 

All of these features are not required, but should give the reader a general idea of what to look for in an accessible home (beyond what is found in an adaptable home)

- The first floor should contain at least an accessible entrance, bedroom, and bathroom.

- An accessible home should have a level entry way or a ramp that meets the slope requirements.

- Low pile carpeting with thin padding

- A doorbell and mailbox at chair height (48"-54")

- Electrical controls, telephone jacks, and outlets that are at chair height (generally light switches/controls are 6" lower than standard and electrical outlets are 6" higher than standard)

- Windows that are accessible and easily operated (usually located 24"-28" from the floor)

- A direct emergency (egress) exit from the accessible bedroom

- A range and oven that is front control operated.  The range may also be roll-under, with a separate, lowered wall oven.

- Countertop heights can vary, and should allow roll under space where desired, particularly under the sink, in the bathroom, and under the countertop range.

- Outswing doors

- Grab bars installed into reinforced walls

- Lever hand faucets

- Roll-in shower with no curb, possibly with a hinged, fold-down or built-in seat

- Showerhead that is adjustable or hand held

- High ceiling and door garage to accomodate raised top van (9'6" height needed) if necessary

- Larger than normal garage to accomodate loading and unloading (24'x24' for two car garage) if necessary

Ask your builder if they have experience with adaptable or accessible homes, and if so, sit down and put together a list of the types of features you require and that you'd like to have.   The list above is not all-inclusive.  There are many, many different types of "accessible homes" available - we hope this helps narrow down the type of home you'd like to have.

Find Out More About Accessible Homes in the Raleigh, NC Area

 Stanton Homes offers "Meet the Builder" events, where any potential homebuyer can bring floor plans and ask an experienced, knowledgable general contractor a variety of questions on ADA and wheelchair accessible homes in the Raleigh NC area.  

Stanton Homes - Building Exceptional Living Experiences

Have other questions on ADA requirements, universal design, or wheelchair accessibility in new homes?

Ramp and Walkway Requirements - Wheelchair Accessible Homes (SAH and ADA Requirements)

Garage and Carport Requirements - Wheelchair Accessible Homes

ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Hallways and Doorways - What to Look For in Your New Home

Housing Assistance Available for Armed Forces Members with Service-Connected Disabilities - Fort Bragg and Pope AFB Areas

And if you're a veteran, active duty, or retired military, ask about "Stanton Homes for Heroes" - Military Discounts on New Homes. 

Copyright 2008 by Stanton Homes. 

Horse Properties in the Raleigh, NC Area

Requirements and Guidelines for Finding Land for Horses in North Carolina

If you're considering a move to the Raleigh area, and have horses, you're probably wondering what the local requirements are and what you should look for.

Minimum Land Requirement

In the Raleigh area, you'll need to have at least 1 acre of grazing land for each horse.  

In addition, you'll probably want to check with the county to make sure horses are allowed on your property, AND make sure that if you're in a neighborhood, the neighborhood covenants do allow horses.

Equestrian Communities

There are quite a few "horse communities" in the Triangle area, which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.   Some of these neighborhoods have lots large enough for individual barns and stables, others have a shared area for horses.

There are also individual land and lots for sale that allow horses. 

Here's a few examples of horse properties for sale in the Raleigh area:

7 acres in Bahama (north of Durham) - Horses Allowed - $100,000 - MLS #1003918

34 acres in Harnett County near Fort Bragg - Horses Allowed - $100,000 - MLS #967012

9 acres in Carthage (south of Sanford near Fort Bragg) - Equestrian and Riverfront Community (Glendon on the River) - $98,100

3 acres in Willow Springs (south of Garner near Fuquay-Varina) - Horses Allowed, Shared Pond - $79,900 - MLS #951107

6 acres in Pittsboro (just southwest of Chapel Hill) - Horses Allowed - $82,900 - MLS #923551

Again, these are just a few examples of the types of horse properties available in the area.  Interested in finding others?  Contact us, and we'll help you get started. 

What Should I Think About When Looking at Horse Properties?

Grazing Land

Remember that you'll need at least an acre of grazing land per horse.  Even if a property says "horses allowed", you may still need to clear enough trees from a heavily wooded lot for the horse to be able to graze.

Room for Sheds, Barns, and Your New Home

Make sure that the land you're considering will have enough room for a barn or shed, and that outbuildings are allowed.   Also, think about the total capacity of the property and consider whether you might want to increase your number of horses later, or take in boarders.  Your builder can work with you to show you the suggested site for your home, based on the septic permit on file. 

Good Drainage

Watch out for marshy areas.  You'll need enough dry ground, year-round, to keep the horse's hooves from getting wet.  Think about feed and hay delivery, as well as how easy it will be for the vet and the farrier to get to your horse.  In general, land on the eastern side of Raleigh is a little sandier, and land on the west side is more clay-based.

How Much Land Will Feed a Horse for a Year?

According to the North Carolina Horse Council, if grass is the only source of forage, each horse will need about 2 acres per year.  The requirement is a minimum of 1 acre per horse, so on a smaller lot you'll need to supplement with other food sources. 

How Much will it Cost to Build a New Home on my Horse Property? 

The cost of construction can vary, depending on many different factors specific to your property.  Building permit and impact fees vary depending on the location of the property and the size of the home.  Most likely you'll need a well and septic.  The cost of the septic will depend on the type of system required.  And the foundation costs will depend on both the size of the home as well as the amount of preparation the land requires - a heavily wooded, rolling lot will be more costly than a flat meadow lot. 

Beyond that, you'll want to decide how large your home will be, and what types of finishes you'd like to see. 

Stanton Homes provides free building cost estimates.  Just browse our Library of Favorite Floor Plans, or send us a plan from one of your favorite online guides like Houseplans.com, and we'll go over a complete estimate with you, along with any factors specific to your lot. 

You may also be interested in:

Jobs in the Raleigh Area

Triangle Area Market Reports - How's The Real Estate Market in Raleigh?

Shopping in the Raleigh Area - What Kind of Shopping Is There?

Raleigh Relocation Package - All About the Raleigh Area!

Which Part of the Triangle is Cheapest to Live?  Property Tax Guide

Looking for 100% Financing?

What Types of Homes Qualify for USDA 100% Financing?

There aren't many 100% financing opportunities left!

A USDA Rural Loan may help you purchase a home with no money down.

Wondering what kinds of homes might qualify for this kind of financing?

USDA financing is not just for farms! 

This beautiful custom home on 1.5 wooded acres just northwest of Pittsboro and 25 minutes from Chapel Hill qualifies for 100% financing through the USDA Rural Loan program.

Here's the financial details, using the USDA 100% Financing Program: 

Sales Price $272900

Funding Fee (mortgage insurance) 2% $5458

Total Loan Amount (Fee plus Sales Price) $278358

P&I (at 6.25%) $1714

Taxes and Insurance (est) $230

Total PITI $1944

No downpayment!

No Origination Fee - reduced appraisal and attorney fees!

Maximum Income for a family of 4 is $82000 in Chatham County (under the Durham MSA).  Not all lenders are approved with the USDA program.  Make sure to work with a lender who has expertise with USDA loans!

About This Home: 640 Rebecca Lane in Cattail Creek

Site finished Hardwood Floors in Formal Dining and Family Room

Custom Tile Floors in Foyer, Kitchen, Breakfast, Laundry, and All Baths

Oak Staircase with Wrought Iron Balusters.

Archway Openings Throughout First Floor

Trey Ceilings with great lighting and delicate trimwork

Multiple Piece Crown Moulding and Oversized Baseboard

Master Bath includes terrific Maple Cabinets (upper and lower!), Tile Floor, Soaking Tub with Tile Surround, and Custom Tile Shower with Glass Enclosure.

Walk In Master Closet with Built In Wood Shelving

Wood Shelves in All Closets

Huge Upstairs Bonus Room

Expanded Island Kitchen with Maple Cabinets and Stainless Steel Appliances

Finished and Painted Garage with Workshop Area

Circular Driveway

Cattail Creek offers custom homes on wooded acreage, in the $250s-360s.

Contact Us or call 919-278-8070 for more information about homes available now in Cattail Creek.

Interested in seeing if you qualify for this loan program?  Want to know what other areas and credit scores qualify?

To find out more about the USDA loan program, contact Steve or Eleanor Thorne at First Financial, 919.649.5058, or visit http://stevethorneonline.com/.

Read Eleanor's information about the USDA program.