Auston Grove Apartment Homes Blog

The housing market is stagnating right now and real estate brokers would have potential buyers believe that there is no better time than the present to buy a home. It is true, prices are down and mortgage rates are at all-time lows.

Unfortunately for the real estate brokers, many clients are not persuaded by that logic. Instead, in increasing numbers, they are choosing to rent instead of buy — unconvinced that the housing market has yet hit bottom. Would be buyers also understand that unless you plan to stay in your home for more than 10 years, buying a home may not be the right investment for everyone.

With apartments in Raleigh, NC that are conveniently located near downtown and offering apartment amenities that can’t be found in homes; renting is a great option for many. There is also a broad mix of tenants in the Auston Grove Apartment community: young single residents and families and empty-nesters that no longer have homeownership on their wish list.

For information on beautiful one-, two-, and three bedroom apartments in Raleigh contact Auston Grove Apartment Homes.

Events

>Wednesday, November 2, noon
Board of Directors meeting at the Chamber building

Friday, November 4, 9 am
Veteran's Day Celebration at Zebulon Community Center, 823-0432

Friday, November 4, 7 to 9 pm
Father/Daughter Dance at Zebulon Community Center, 823-0432

Saturday, November 5, 6 to 9 pm
Reverse Raffle fundraiser with dinner at Zebulon Rotary Club Get your ticket now!!! You could win the top prize of $5000!!!

Sunday, November 6, 2 am
Daylight Savings Time ends! Did you reset your clocks??

Monday, November 7, 9 am to noon
Computer Skills for the Job Search classes begin at Wake Tech's Zebulon site, 519 Industrial Drive; call Laura Johnson at 414-0477

Tuesday, November 8
Elections in Knightdale, Wendell, and Zebulon

Friday, November 11 - Veterans Day
Chamber and DMV offices will be closed.

Friday, November 11, 7 pm
FREE Family Movie: Diary of Wimpy Kid - Roderick Rules at Zebulon Community Center, call 823-0432 for more info.

Don't miss Belk's Charity Day Sale!

You can save BIG on Saturday, November 5th from 6 to 10 am ... and help the Chamber at the same time. Just $5 gets you into this PRIVATE sale, and the Chamber keeps the $5. The first 100 customers receive a gift card valued up to $100!!!

Time to go for a joy ride back in time! Get out of your apartment in Raleigh, NC and head on over to the classic car show. The Zebulon Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its 2nd Annual Zebulon Classics Car Show!
 

Saturday, October 22, 2011
Norris Creek Outdoor Entertainment Complex
9am-2pm
751 Old Halifax Rd., Louisburg
Minutes from downtown Zebulon!

FREE admission! Live music....Rocky Cross Band, The Incompletes and The Blues Brothers! Food! Shopping & more!  
 

If you live in an apartment in Raleigh, NC, you have surely made loads of friends and acquaintances and there are plenty of things to do.  But have you heard about the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival coming up in August?

This is one of the best events of the summer so get your tickets soon. This festival is a great day of beer sipping, bourbon tasting, music listening, cigar smoking, and barbeque eating. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy all-you-want-to taste samplings of beer and bourbon. Some of the best barbeque vendors are on-site if you get hungry, all while enjoying seminars in the tasting theater and Live music all day.

There are 40 Bourbons and 60 Beers on Tap. Enjoy, but we do want you to drink responsibly. There's BBQ Galore! Enjoy the great barbeque selection - pulled pork from whole hogs, ribs, brisket, chickens, sausages and any fixin' you could imagine. The portions are heavy and the prices are low. Enjoy Seminars in the Tasting Theater with Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit Masters From the Deep South.  Listen to live rock and blues music and great bluegrass on The Main Stage.

Other fun things will be available like: taking the BBQ Sauce Challenge, The Rare Bourbon Tasting Table and other surprises. There will be four different Pitmasters on-site to show off all their latest tricks and let you taste the BEST. Only in Raleigh!

Auston Grove Residents are getting ready for the summer, and so are our kid’s teachers! If you are looking for a great and unique way to say “thank you” to your child’s teacher this summer, here is a list of great ideas!

Give your favorite teacher a night (or morning) off - With a fun basket full of foodstuffs that will minimize cooking for at least one meal your child’s teacher can take a break from cooking. From a pasta dinner, a jar of gourmet sauce, pasta, breadsticks and a bottle of wine; or a pancake breakfast complete with mix, syrup, pre-wrapped sausage, juice and some fruit; this is a fun gift to put together and it will be greatly appreciated.

Best bookmark – have your child make a beautiful bookmark with their class photo affixed to the top. Have them add a few of their favorite titles, or the titles of some of their favorite books that were read in class. Add to it a gift certificate to a neighborhood bookstore and this gift is sure to please.

Learning gift basket - Many teachers pay for their own classroom supplies. Put together a basket of markers and crayons or craft items. You can either pack a basket full of supplies or you can make a small basket and add to it a gift certificate to an area learning supply or stationery store.

Movie night – There is plenty to do in Raleigh, but a great gift would be to send your teacher to the movies with a marvelous movie gift to Raleighwood cinema and grill. Give your favorite teacher a gift to the highest rated movie theatre in Raleigh, and it will be fun and different than regular movie passes. Not only can they see a movie, but they can grab a bite to eat too. Pool your resources with some friend’s parents, this is a fun gift. If you‘d like, give this gift with a jumbo pack of Dots candy.

What kind of American city is the best for small business? They're the ones that have prosperous economies, are expanding rapidly, and are densely packed with like-minded entrepreneurs. And the top two are in North Carolina.

The two markets with the nation's top scores for small-business vitality, according to a new BizJournals study, sit 140 miles apart in the Tar Heel State. Raleigh is No. 1 in the national rankings, while Charlotte is No. 2.

BizJournals used a six-part formula to analyze the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas, searching for the places that are most conducive to the creation and development of small businesses.

The two North Carolina markets emerge as the clear leaders, thanks to their outstanding records in four statistical categories with a direct impact on small-business activity:

1.Population: Raleigh and Charlotte picked up a combined total of 427,000 new residents between 2002 and 2007. Raleigh grew by 21.2 percent in that five-year period, Charlotte by 17.4 percent. Both dwarfed the national growth rate of 4.8 percent.

2. Employment: The entire country is endangered by the current recession.  But Raleigh cushioned any future blow with outstanding job growth during the 2003-08 span—23 percent in Raleigh, 15.4 percent in Charlotte. The U.S. gain was 5.8 percent.

3. Small-business growth: The number of small businesses grew dramatically in both markets from 2005 to 2006, the latest period covered by official statistics. Raleigh led the way with a 4.6 percent rise, followed by Charlotte at 4 percent. The national increase was 1.3 percent.

4. Small-business concentration: The typical U.S. market has 24.57 small businesses for every 1,000 residents. The North Carolina markets enjoy concentrations that are at least 10 percent bigger, with Raleigh at 27.58 per 1,000, Charlotte at 27.07.

And that's not all. Two other markets with North Carolina connections rank among the 30 best metros in the study, Greensboro and the Virginia Beach-Norfolk metro. 

The highest scores went to areas that have prosperous economies, are expanding rapidly, and are densely packed with small businesses.

Raleigh is the only market to rank among the top 10 in four key categories: growth rates for small businesses and population, and one- and five-year increases in employment.


For more information see Portfolio.com

Your pet may not be able to recite Shakespeare’s sonnets or sing the Star-Spangled Banner, but, believe it or not, your furry, four-legged friend can talk. If you pay close attention, your dog or cat can communicate with you when something is wrong with his health.

Check out this list of common pet health care issues, and learn how to identify when your pet is trying to tell you that something’s wrong.

Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common health care problems for dogs and cats. If you neglect brushing your pet’s teeth regularly, bacteria living in the mouth can enter the bloodstream through decaying, infected teeth and gums. The harmful bacteria can cause swelling and bladder infections. Rotten teeth also make it painful for your pet to chew her food and get proper nutrition.

Dental hygiene problems are common, but can be easily avoided with regular brushing and veterinary care. In between vet visits, watch out for the signs of tooth decay. Notice whether:

• Your pet’s gums bleed when chewing on toys
• Your pet only uses one side of her mouth to eat food or doesn’t really chew at all
• Your pet pulls away when you massage her cheeks

These signs may let you know that your pet needs veterinary dental care.

Obesity
Obesity is another of the most common pet health problems. You may be tempted to laugh off Fido’s “big-boned” heft, but obesity can actually cause a number of pet health problems including skin inflammation, heart disease, and diabetes, among others.

Your pet can tell you that he is overweight in a number of ways. If you see a large tummy from his profile view, can’t feel his ribs, or notice that he is often short of breath, it is probably time to consult veterinary care about a diet plan for your pet. The ideal size of a pet varies by breed, so rely on your vet’s help to determine the proper weight range for your particular pet.

Skin Problems
Skin problems are another of the most common health issues that veterinarians treat. Your pet can tell you that his skin is bothering him if he licks, chews, or scratches a certain spot excessively. Look for skin patches that are red and irritated or have lost fur — these are possible indications that your pet has skin problems, perhaps caused by allergies, bacterial infections, or bug bites. Raw areas on the skin may also indicate an internal problem, such as a break or sprain, as dogs will lick a painful area in an attempt to heal themselves.

Fleas
Fleas are a specific type of pet skin problem that you can also easily identify. More than just a nuisance for you and your family, the presence of fleas can lead to serious health care problems like anemia in pets.

Your pet will tell you if he’s got fleas: he’ll scratch! Also watch for the usual signs of skin problems and check his belly regularly for small, black spots known as “flea dirt.” You may even be able to see fleas crawling on his skin — especially around his hindquarters or neck.

Your Pet’s Demeanor
A pet’s health problems will often manifest as pesky behavior issues that might include destructive chewing, excessive barking, or urinating indoors. Fido isn’t simply being a bad dog when he does these things repeatedly; these behavior problems might be his way of telling you that there’s something wrong with him physically. When behavior problems persist, a vet visit may be a good idea to determine whether there’s a health issue behind the bad behavior.

Also keep in mind that a pet may “act out” when her routine is altered or she gets over-excited. As you live with a pet, you will come to recognize the differences in the clues that your pet’s behavior tell you.

How to Listen to Your Pet
The key to identifying pet health care issues is to pay close attention to your pets. Pay special attention to each animal every day, and watch for any sudden changes in a pet’s behavior. Be open to listening to what your pet has to tell you about his health; he’ll also be able to communicate to you when he feels great!

Apartments in Raleigh, NC

In response to the recent tornado damage throughout North Carolina and other parts of the South, Auston Grove and Shoes 4 Souls are taking donations for new or gently used shoes to assist families who have lost everything.  Any size shoe is welcome as long as there are no holes or tears in them.  A donation barrel is located at the Auston Grove office.  Please go through your closets and see if you have any shoes to donate.  Thanks so much.  

Shoes 4 Souls is dedicated to recycling shoes for those in need of safe shoes. Shoes 4 Souls is a charity based in Raleigh, North Carolina that collects shoes from the closets of people like you and provides them to those less fortunate. If you have a pair of shoes that you would like to donate to someone who needs them, please put them in our Shoes 4 Soles drop box. The shoes have been distributed to people all over the United States and the world.
 
Please partner with Auston Grove and Shoes 4 Souls and help someone by simply cleaning out your closet. Here is the information to Soles 4 Souls for further information.  

 
WWW.SHARESHOES4SOULS.COM
shoesforsouls@yahoo.com
(919) 758-8161

So, you have moved to a new community that is unfamiliar to you, and you want to learn about your new neighborhood. Why not start your search by going online, right from your apartment?

Take a look at these suggestions for learning more about your new community through the Web.

Search for what interests you
The Internet has a wealth of resources waiting to connect you with the world right outside your apartment community. Think about the things that interest you: maybe you enjoy eating out in restaurants and going to movies?

Sites that focus on specific activities are great for expanding your awareness of destinations in your neighborhood. You can look to the Web to help you find, say, a Southwestern restaurant in your neighborhood, or find a theater and check the times on the new movie you want to see. For information about restaurants, for instance, check out Urbanspoon.com. You can even make online reservations at many eateries via sites such as Opentable.com. You can find local theaters and movie times on sites such as Fandango.com or Moviefone.com. Once you get used to it, looking for local attractions and events via the Web becomes as easy as clicking your mouse.

Google it
Don’t forget about one of the most versatile tools on the Internet: Google! Google is a first-class ticket to seeing the world online. You can find maps to destinations, in many cases with pictures of the actual places you want to visit. You can easily search by key words and categories, and get suggestions from Google about searches that others have made using similar phrases. One search to try is to enter your city, region, or neighborhood by name and see what comes up for you. You may discover a regional publication that serves your area with a blog about your favorite pastime and where to pursue that activity near your apartment home.

Find friends in your neighborhood
Some Web sites are designed to bring people together. You customize these sites for your city or area simply by entering the city’s name in the search field. Meetup.com, for instance, can be used to set up group events between like-minded people who live near each other and are interested in similar activities. On that site, just click “find a group,” then enter the activity that interests you, along with your location. You can then browse through a multitude of groups that have formed because of a love for music or flower arranging. Diving into the diverse opportunities found on pages like these may lead you to discover resources and opportunities in your community that you had no idea were available.

It’s not all fun and games
Your neighborhood may very well have a presence on the Web. Search by name for state and city government sites to learn how to conduct official business or where to find important services. Community-based sites are great online places to learn about your neighborhood and stay abreast of community news.

Of course, it is especially important in new surroundings to familiarize yourself with services you may need some day, like the location of the hospital nearest to your apartment. Of more daily assistance, you can find online services that will suggest different routes for getting to places, or you can check the current traffic on your favorite commute path. Maps and travel schedules for rapid transit can typically be found online, as well.

The people have spoken
One of the most useful and exciting features of the Web is its ability to bring people (and their opinions) together. Sites such as Yelp.com give people community forums where they can share their experiences of visiting stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and other services. You can benefit from all this information, but, as with everything you read on the Web, use your own judgment: a few negative comments, no matter how strong the objections, do not necessarily mean that an establishment should be avoided. Look for a general agreement over a series of postings, and notice if you tend to agree with certain commentators who post frequently. You may even decide to join the fray and offer your own online feedback.

The power of the Internet to help familiarize us with our world is one of its great achievements. It has rapidly become quite common that any place we might want to visit now has two locations: one on a street somewhere, and one on the Web.

Bookmark your favorite destinations on the information highway and check in with them regularly — it’s the easiest way to stay informed about what’s going on and to explore the world where you live.

Apartment in Raleigh, NC