Chapel Hill NC Home Blog

Porto, a fine home furnishings store in Chapel Hill and Raleigh will participate in “FEATHER YOUR NEST” Home and Garden Show in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This Show will be held at the Carolina Inn, in Chapel Hill on Sunday, March 16, 2008.

Porto will present a sample of its collections and offer tips and techniques on home interiors for the spring season.  Porto co-owner Michael Perry, who spends most of his time at the Chapel Hill store located in the newly renovated Eastgate Shopping Center, will be there to meet show-goers and discuss what he sees as spring trends.

He will also discuss and offer information on “environmentally friendly” furniture.  Perry has made it his practice to carry only manufacturers who practice environmental and social responsibility.

The spring show will also feature fabrics, flooring, wall covering, window treatments, lighting, kitchen and bath ideas, floral design, and home entertaining as well as an “Ask The Experts” area.The historic Carolina Inn is located at 211 Pittsboro Street.  Tickets are only $10, which includes Hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting, gift bags and a raffle give-a-way.  Doors open at noon.  For more information, visit www.carolinainn.com.

Porto is located in Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Shopping Center off of 15-501 at 1800 East Franklin Street.  Porto’s Raleigh location is located at 4151 Main St. at North Hills.  Hours are: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.  For more information visit www.portohome.com

Although many opposed the Orange County Land Transfer Tax, this is the only option voters will get to choose from this May. The Orange County commissioners voted unanimously last night to put the tax hike on the May 6th ballot.

What exactly is a land-transfer tax?  It’s a tax that’s paid when a property owner sells a home, property or land to another party.  The monies raised from this land transfer tax would most likely be used for capital projects on schools and parks. 

If this tax is not passed, real estate property taxes will most likely go up.  An increase in property taxes obviously affects all homeowners but those hardest hit would be retirees or those living on fixed incomes.

The bottom line is there is no good answer.  Nobody wants to pay any more taxes than we already do but additional funds are needed to provide for the necessary infrastructure to serve our residents.  

The parties opposed to this tax feel it would stifle growth.  Many feel the timing of this tax is not good based on our slowing economy in addition to a less than ideal housing market.   

An increase in sales tax, a land transfer tax and/or an increase in property tax all add to additional expenses for every resident living in Orange County.  There will always be those in favor and those in opposition to any tax increase.  Unfortunately tax increases are inevitable. We just have to agree upon which tax will help us most and hurt us least.

Most of us get frustrated waiting in lines, being put on hold, sitting in traffic; basically anything that wastes the limited free time we have each day.  Here are some useful tips for managing your time:

How many times have you been put on hold by a customer service rep and waited and waited…? Avoid calling on monday mornings.  Your best bet is to call at dinner time.

Looking for an airline sale? Airlines post their sales on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Typically, there are only a few seats at the lowest prices.  Also, the first and last flights of the day usually have the best prices.  I have followed this guideline for years.  It’s also frustrating having to wait at a busy airport.  The busiest times at the airport are usually Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 6-7am and from 2-6pm.  Monday mornings are filled with business travelers.  As far as delays are concerned, its best to book your flight early in the day.  Another slow time to travel is on the actual holiday; instead of a day or two before Christmas or Thanksgiving, try booking that morning instead.

No one likes to wait on line at the supermarket.  The most crowded times are
Wednesdays.  Alot of newspaper circulars post their sales on that day.  During the week from 5-7pm is another crowded time.  Many of us go to the supermarket on the way home from work.  Tuesdays and Thursdays are typically the slowest days at the grocery store.

Any time I go to the Post Office, there always seems to be a line. First thing in the morning and at closing time are usually the busiest.  Some locations are open on Saturday mornings.  If so, that is your best bet.

With so many Motor Vehicle locations in North Carolina, I haven’t had many long lines.  In general, there is less traffic on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Lunch time is usually the time to avoid.  Always check with DMV (www.NCDOT.org/DMV) to make you have have all the paperwork you need.   Sometimes you may even be able to make an appointment.

I hope these tips have been helpful.  Every minute counts in this busy world we live in.