5 Great Cities for Technology Professionals

January 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Houtson downtown skyline

Houston occupied the #3 spot on Dice’s list of fastest-growing cities for tech jobs.

If you’re a techno-savvy individual who’s looking for a new place to call home, you might want to take a look at the following cities. All five metros ranked very highly in the technology jobs department, as continued advancement in technological industries provides steady growth for employment. There are a few other cool things about these towns, too. In addition to being havens for tech workers, these five cities offer culture, activity, entertainment, education and so much more. So if you’re thinking of finding a new place to put your tech skills to work, be sure to do some research on these 5 Great Cities for Technology Professionals:

Raleigh, NC
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh was recently ranked the number one fastest-growing city for tech jobs. According to Dice.com, a technology career information site, the number of tech jobs in Raleigh grew 50% from March 2011 to March 2012. Nearby universities, a large banking presence and being part of the Research Triangle make Raleigh a great place to find tech jobs.

And after putting in a full day of programming, coding or offering tech support, why not hit the downtown scene for a drink or a show? With plenty of bars, clubs, pubs and live entertainment venues, Raleigh is sure to keep you busy when you’re away from your computer screen.

Richmond, VA
Ranked the #2 fastest-growing city for tech jobs by Dice, Richmond is home to the rapidly developing Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, which is a hub for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The area is also home to six Fortune 500 companies including CarMax, Genworth Financial and Altria Group (some of which are located just outside Richmond in neighboring cities). There’s also a strong banking and medical science presence. [Read more...]

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Seattle Market Real Estate Update

December 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Seattle skyline at sunsetAn article than ran in the Puget Sound Business Journal on September 20th shared positive news from Seattle-based real estate information site, Zillow. According to their findings, home values in the Emerald City experienced the largest increase in August since the mortgage crisis.

The report showed that at the end of August, Seattle’s  median home value was up to $261,919.00, gaining 1.4 percent from a year ago. Zillow’s chief economist Stan Humphries noted that this increase is the largest since late 2007, when values had a y-o-y gain of 1.9 percent. As for the average listing price, it was up to $689,467.00 for the week ending September 19th. This price reflects an increase of 0.2 percent.

Some of Seattle’s busiest neighborhoods for both listings and sales have been Belltown, Broadway, East Queen Anne, North Admiral and Wallingford. The average listing prices for those areas are running between $589,000.00 and $865,795.00. The average listing price for some of Seattle’s more prestigious neighborhoods were $3,431,610.00 in Medina, $2,834,099.00 in Clyde Hill and $2,054,606.00 on Mercer Island.  [Read more...]

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Study Shows Professional Counseling Effective at Helping Homeowners Keep Their Home

December 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

smiling receptionist wearing headsetFor decades, Americans have turned to professional counseling for a multitude of life’s issues. From keeping marriages together to battling substance abuse to improving family relationships, having a pro guide you through the process can be a real lifesaver. Now it appears that same approach is an effective tool for fending off foreclosure.

Fannie Mae and the National Council of La Raza, or NCLA (which is a non-profit advocacy group for the Hispanic population), are leading the way. Fannie Mae established a counseling center in hard hit California in August and has since opened 12 Mortgage Help Centers in other areas of the U.S. 

The NCLR got in the game earlier in the summer with a telephone-counseling program in Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, Utah, and Washington. A hotline was set up that enabled homeowners under the threat of foreclosure to get advice from counselors. Callers were guided through strategies to help them understand which options were available, such as, refinancing, short sales, loan modification, or how to submit a wrongful foreclosure claim.

Working with a counselor can help an overwhelmed homeowner put things into perspective, discover their options and establish a game plan. In early 2012, HUD published the findings of two studies it conducted and confirmed that counseling is an excellent tool for consumers, especially for those buying a home and for homeowners experiencing financial turmoil. Specifically, it was revealed that for HUD’s Foreclosure Outcome Study, close to 70% of those counseled found solutions to their mortgage woes. Furthermore, 56% of those counseled by a HUD mortgage specialist, overcame their loan default circumstances and became current on their mortgages.  [Read more...]

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Buying a Home Cheaper Than Renting in Much of the US According to Fiserv Case-Shiller

October 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Couple with their child in home which is being built.Why rent when you can own? Once again, that is a viable question for prospective home buyers in most of the US. The results of a study covering real estate trends in over 380 markets were released in early August. The analysis was based on the Fiserv Case-Shiller Indexes, which are owned by Fiserv, a global firm that provides solutions within the realm of financial services technology.

Over the last six years, the rate of home ownership has dropped and the demand for rental properties has increased. That phenomenon has made the price of rent go up in most U.S. markets. The Fiserv study revealed that thanks to low mortgage rates and falling home prices, it is now cheaper to buy a house than rent an apartment in much of the nation. Further analysis led to the prediction that as housing markets gain stability, prospective homebuyers will realize the advantages of home ownership and the demand from first time homebuyers will increase. According to Fiserv, “Consequently, even if economic growth remains weak, the relative affordability of buying will push home prices upward.”
[Read more...]

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Unique Historic Districts of the Northwest

September 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Nice home with trees that are blooming.As one of the youngest regions of the US, many are surprised to discover that the Northwestern corner of the map is filled with quaint historic towns and villages. Many of them came into being during the 1800’s as the fishing and timber industries gained steam. Thankfully, throughout OR, WA, and ID there are still places that remind us of those early times.

Tacoma, WA is home to the North Slope Historic District. It is one of the Evergreen State’s largest collections of historical homes. Over 950 properties cover a 10-block area. Residents of the North Slope enjoy views of Puget Sound and the stunning sight of the Olympic Mountains. Almost 80% of the district’s homes were built before 1930. The big blue and white Rhodes House is one of the neighborhood’s most famous landmarks and is a combination of Victorian, Craftsman, and Queen Anne Revival architecture. This combination of architectural styles is a hallmark of the area. For many, the appealing mix of homes found throughout the North Slope Historic District, from Queen Anne to Foursquare to Victorian is a salute to America’s diversity.

Wallace, ID is known as the “Silver Capital of the World”, which is what brought 100’s of miners to the area in the late 1800’s. The miners are long gone, but Wallace’s amazingly well-preserved historic district is in tact. As a matter of fact, every single downtown structure is on the National Register of Historic Places. Turn of the century storefronts and graceful Victorians line most of the downtown streets and house a lively mix of cafes, shops, and one of a kind boutiques. Outdoor enthusiasts from all over congregate in downtown Wallace after a day of snow skiing or mountain biking. From Wallace’s vantage point, on the rugged mountainside along the south fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, you may feel like you’ve stepped back in time or in the middle of a on a movie set!

Astoria, OR represents the location of the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Established in 1876 as an outcropping of Fort Astoria, it is a true Northwestern gem. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, it is home to one of OR’s most comprehensive historic districts, Hundreds of Victorian homes and a 1920’s downtown give Astoria a special brand of charm. A restored 1913 riverfront trolley transports visitors to the many points of interest. Farther away from downtown, you can also visit Fort Astoria, which was built in 1913. Perhaps the most popular historic structure is the iconic Astoria Column (see video). It was built in 1926, stands 125 feet high and provides unsurpassed views of the city and surrounding natural beauty, including glimpses of the Pacific Ocean.

American Financial Resources is pleased to offer home financing assistance in the aforementioned markets. We deliver one of the most competitive packages of interest rates and closing costs in the nation and have access to many harder-to-find home loan programs such as mobile home financing solutions and 203K home improvement loans which can help finance many repairs needed on historic properties. For more information on our current home loan rates and products, give us a call at 800-634-8616 or complete the Rate Quote form on the right.

Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
Historic Districts in the Northeast
Historic Districts in the Midwest

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Real Estate Markets with Fewest Days of Sunshine

August 8, 2012 By 1 Comment

Thermometer at a lake house. Find area of the US with the most cloudy days.Although most people prefer a bright and sunny place to call home, there are a few folks out there who may prefer to beat the heat (especially after the temperatures this summer) with a nice cloud cover. If you’re looking for a place that’s shielded from UV rays and intense temperatures, check out a few U.S. cities with the fewest days of sunshine.

Amherst, NY
According to City-Data.com, this New England town only receives about 4.4 days of clear skies per year. Otherwise, expect to see some big puffy clouds or gray overcast skies.

Graham-Thrift, WA
Coming in a close second to Amherst, this suburb of Tacoma only sees about 4.5 sunny days per year. Average precipitation levels are typically much higher than the national average (except during the summer), so make sure you pack plenty of umbrellas and snow boots if you’re thinking of moving to this Washington town!
[Read more...]

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Best Places to Live for Senior Citizens

February 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Senior couple meeting with financial prefessional.Sperling’s Best Places in conjunction with Bankers Life and Casualty Company,  recently conducted a unique study which analyzed which cities provide the best resources for less active senior citizens. Unlike other studies which focus on cultural and recreational opportunities such as traveling, and sightseeing, this study was primarily designed to assess quality of resources and facilities which help people deal with aging. The study analyzed many categories such as senior living facilities, medical care, and transportation services.

The Top Cities for Seniors Included:
Portland, Oregon
Seattle, Washington
San Francisco, California
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New York, New York
Boston, Massachusetts
Cincinnati, Ohio
Chicago, Illinois

Bottom Five Cities for Seniors in the Survey:
Passaic, New Jersey
Miami, Florida
Nassau-Suffolk, New York
Orange County, California
Riverside-San Bernardino, California

Related Blog Posts and Information:
Best Bargain Real Estate Markets
Popular Home Trends
10 Priciest Small Towns
CNN Best Places to Live 2010

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