The Durham real estate market is in a complicated situation – key indicators seem to indicate that the market is recovering, but the lingering effects of the recession continue to plague some hard-hit areas in the North Carolina City. According to an April 7, 2010 article in the News Observer, “Foreclosure filings in the Triangle slowed some in March but total filings for the first three months are still up 56 percent compared to the same period last year. Filings in Durham, Johnston, Orange, and Wake counties totaled 2,386 through the first three months of 2010, the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts reports.” The piece continued to state that “Triangle filings have been up 72 percent compared to last year through the first two months. The four-county region accounted for 14 percent of the 17,552 foreclosure filings in North Carolina through the first three months of the year.”

This gradual recovery for Durham real estate, along with some concerted government relief efforts, however, has not been enough for some families. According to an April 11, 2010 article in the Charlotte Observer, “Recent changes to the federal foreclosure-prevention program were billed as helping the unemployed, but in the long run, they actually make it harder for people without jobs to keep their homes.” The piece, composed by Stella M. Hopkins, continued to note that “When the new rules go into effect, unemployment benefits will no longer count as income for determining whether a person qualifies for a long-term reduction in their mortgage payments. So for people with no income other than unemployment, there will be no loan modifications – the chief tool for preventing foreclosure.”

Some other North Carolina markets, which are in many ways similar to Durham homes for sale, have been seeing an increase in recent sales volume, according to an April 14, 2010 article in the Tidewater News. This piece, written by Gwen Albers, found that “Sales of existing homes in the Isle of Wight and Southampton counties and City of Franklin more than doubled from February to March. Nine homes were sold in February and 22 in March.”

In North Carolina you can find the city of Durham, which is Durham County’s seat, extending into Orange and Wake Counties. The population of the city currently sits at around 218,000, making Durham the 5th largest city in all of North Carolina.
Durham boasts  many large and well respected educational institutions, including North Carolina Central University and the world renowned Duke University. It is also home to numerous historic sites and natural pieces of land, such as the Research Triangle Park. If you are only looking to visit, there are also plenty of hotels which offer very reasonable rates.
Durham Marriott Convention Center, situated at 201 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701, is one of the best hotels in the area. It sits in the middle of the downtown district and is only two miles away from Duke Hospital, Duke University and North Carolina Central University. Conveniently, the Raleigh Durham Airport is located only twenty minutes up the road, while a stones throw away from that is the American Tobacco District, which has recently been renovated.
Besides the hotel’s great proximity to various businesses including Duke Corporate Education & Intersouth Partners and McKinney Silver, visitors are also able to take some time out for relaxation at the close by Durham Bulls Athletic Park, The Carolina Theater or the YMCA, which has both a gym and an indoor swimming pool.
The Durham Marriot has a 3 star rating and is a smoke free hotel which provides its guests with wireless internet, a business area, a top notch shuttle service, places to sit and relax, a free car park and, in some rooms, plug in panels. You will also have access to the Concierge Lounge where you can enjoy some Hors d’euvres, drinks, snacks, desserts as well as a nice Continental breakfast.
The Millennium Hotel in Durham is as unique as it is beautiful, and only a short walk away from Duke Medical Center and Duke University. Close by you will also find the Museum of Life and Science, the University of North Carolina and the Durham Bulls Baseball Athletic Park, which is a must see for any baseball fan.
The hotel has 316 guest rooms and suites, as well as a whirlpool, an indoor swimming pool and a fully equipped gym. There are also some fabulous eateries onsite, including Bel Gusto which gives guests a taste of Italy, and the Varsity Lounge, offering you various cocktails and light snacks in a cozy and laid back atmosphere.
The Millennium is open to all variety of social events and gatherings, as well as business functions. They are able to provide you and your associates with conference and meeting rooms, two spacious ballrooms, a fabulous library as well as an Alumni Room. They are well equipped to accept handicapped guests, and provide concierge services, fast, wireless internet access, exhibits in the lobby and access to catering services as well as AV equipment.
Rooms here include a choice of king sized beds or two standard single beds, pay TV including movies and satellite TV, as well as equipment for ironing, a free newspaper, and coffee and tea makers. You will have the option of a smoking or a non smoking room, which is a valuable option for a lot of travelers, especially in the cooler months.
Situated at 2516 Guess Rd Durham, NC 27705, you will come across the Holiday Inn Express Durham. A pet friendly place to stay in the downtown area, the cost to keep your furry friend here is only $10 a day, although it should not weigh more than 25 pounds. It is located close by to educational institutions such as the University of North Carolina, the North Carolina Central University, the NC School of Science and Mathematics as well as the world famous Drake university. You can check in any time from 3 PM, while check out is at 12 noon.
The Holiday Inn has 79 nicely equipped and comfortable rooms available, with free wireless internet access and a choice of hot breakfast foods, including cinnamon rolls. You will also be able to make use of a shuttle service should you need or want to get to one of the local hospitals.
Because the hotels are all conveniently situated nearby to educational institutes in the area, parents will have no problems when it comes time to visit their children who are attending local colleges, or who want to take a look at the campuses here while deciding on the right school for them. If you are planning a trip here, it is important to call ahead and make reservations with your hotel of choice, as the area can be quite busy at certain times of yeah.