Bright Side of the Road

I've been enjoying my new location downtown Raleigh lately. I fancy a nice bike ride or evening stroll, with lots to offer in the immediate area it's been quite dandy. A bike ride up to the Cameron Village Harris Teeter is much more enjoyable than fighting that cramped parking lot mess. A jog down to Five Points is the perfect run if you're like me and keep it under a mile. Or walk down to the new pizza place Sauced for a late night slice.

I work between Raleigh & Chapel Hill so the I-40 drive can be a bit tedious. As long as you don't get the mobile secretary driving 55 in the far left lane it goes by like a breeze though. That is one reason the Triangle keeps getting rave reviews and top rankings by so many publications. There is so much to offer in each town, from Raleigh to Durham & Chapel Hill; if you aren't enthused by one town you can skirt on down the road to the next.

I'd have trouble calculating the tax dollars going towards programs that so many people can't even access. $8,000 for each first time homebuyer, $4,000 for every clunker turned in. So here is a look at other programs that will help you get your piece of the pie while making your home more efficient.

Cash For Appliances

There is a federal program available this fall allowing consumers to get cash rebates when they buy new, energy efficient appliances. There will be $300 million in funding with rebates ranging from $50-$200. Lower your bills & spruce up your home at the same time. Remember, appliances are personal property & are not considered part of the sales price unless specified. You can always take these with you on your next move.

Efficiency Rebates

The government is rewarding homeowners that make their homes more efficient in other ways as well. From windows to roofs, insulation to water heaters. You can receive up to $1,500 in credit for installing eligible HVAC units right now. Make sure when purchasing any of these products you are educated in what qualifies for the credit. For those homeowners that will have to replace any of these in the near future, better act now before these credits expire.

It's no secret though there is talk about extending & increasing these credits, most importantly the home buyer credit. Tim Geithner acknowledged last week they would be looking into this. It's no gurantee though, so don't get caught looking if the put the brakes on the program. Maybe they'll do a clunker home trade in program. Matter a fact some builders in the Raleigh area are doing just that, allowing you to trade your existing home for one of theirs, plus the difference of course.

Well the football season is off to a fast start, just like ECU's loss column. That 1-2 record is good evidence how we appear to be playing though. Despite losing to UNC this weekend I had a great time at the game. You certainly get your money's worth of exercise tracking friends down at a UNC tailgate though, climbing parking deck stairs is a lot different than crossing the flat terrain of Greenville. An ECU football alum made headlines on theOnion.com last week in this article . Most of you ECU grads should get a kick out of it.

Chris Raynor Oct.20 1980-Sept.12 2009

Obituary

"If I had one gift that I could give you, my friend, it would be the ability to see yourself as others see you, because only then would you know how extremely special you are."~B.A. Billingsly

I'll always miss you Big Cat