North Carolina Has One of the Most Affordable Cities to Buy a House

Owning a home is part of the American Dream. But, home costs have been high in the US for years now. So, you probably want to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to buying a home. Of course. I definitely have a dream of buying a home someday. So, I always like to keep up on which areas have the best rates. Well, North Carolina has the most affordable cities to buy a house in America.

The new study is from HomeBuyer.com. So, what makes a home affordable? They explain that it has to do with the home's cost, mortgage, sales price, down payment amount, and current mortgage rates. Then, the next biggest factor for an affordable home, which I think some people overlook sometimes, is property taxes. "Property taxes vary by county and municipality, ranging from an annual cost of 1 percent of a home's value to five percent," HomeBuyer.com states. Also, "the third-largest component of home affordability is the cost of transportation, which includes commuting to work, the availability of public transit, and taxes on gas and electricity for people who live there." Finally, the cost of homeowners insurance and other insurance is also a factor.

As for methodology, "The Homebuyer.com research group built an algorithm that digests public and private homeowner data and calculates the relative cost of homeownership throughout the United States. We used the algorithm to find the most affordable cities for U.S. home buyers from the 800 largest Census-recognized cities."

So, let's get to it. Which North Carolina town is one of most affordable cities to buy a house in America? Rocky Mount is No. 32 on the list. Other North Carolina cities included higher on the list are Burlington at No. 53 and Kannapolis at No. 54. The No. 1 most affordable city to buy a house in America in Macon, Georgia. So, if you want a deal, pack your bags. Find the full list of cities here.

It's never too early to start planning an exciting winter getaway, especially since the most popular winter vacation spots get booked up quickly. The good news, though, is that most people take vacations in the summer, so traveling in the winter can be a bit more relaxing. You are also able to usually find better travel rates during the winter season, except during the holidays. If you don't have to travel during the holidays, just don't, because it's a mess. So, what are the best winter getaways in the U.S.? North Carolina has one of them.

I've researched some of the most popular winter vacation destinations in hopes of finding the perfect spot. The following list includes not just sunny, warm getaways, but also some areas that people who love snow can enjoy. Honestly, many people who live in a warm climate like to flock to a snowy location for a bit during the winter to get that seasonal experience, even if that seems counter intuitive. Of course, those who live in the northern parts of America love to go to a warm spot and get away from their daily lives filled with snow and ice.

I'm a Michigan girl, so I'm very familiar with the cold and ice in the winter. Not that I like it. Each year, I say I'm going to escape, even if it's just for a few days, to a warmer location. But, I never do. Maybe this year will be different. Looking at vacation rates, it's fairly easy to find some good deals, again, if it's not during the holiday travel season. Read on for some of the bets winter getaways in the U.S., based on my research. What's your favorite winter vacation spot? Reach out to me on social media here and let me know. Have a fantastic winter, and stay warm.

If you're looking for a mild getaway, Savannah, Georgia, is a great choice. It's pretty mild in the winter, so not too cold or too hot. The Historic District is a popular winter vacation spot, too.

https://visitsavannah.com/

The beautiful area of Asheville, North Carolina, has plenty of gorgeous snowfall, and it's less dangerous than many other areas with snowfall. Lately, Asheville has one up in population, but it's still a popular tourist destination. One choice spot is the French Broad River, with lots of winter activities, breweries and restaurants.

https://www.exploreasheville.com/

If you want to enjoy a winter vacation and learn about history, Philadelphia is a great vacation spot. Sure, it's won't be like sunny Florida. But, Philly has lots of great museums and historical spots to enjoy indoors, while staying toasty.

https://www.visitphilly.com/

I know what you're thinking. Why go to Michigan in the winter? Well, if you love snow, then it's worth the trip. Traverse City, Michigan, is a quaint town, but it's big enough to have lots of things to do and places to stay. It's also cold in the winter but not as cold as, say the Dakotas.

https://www.traversecity.com/

If you want to get away from the snow and ice, go to Key West, Florida. It's considered one of the finest tropical spots in the U.S. during the winter months. Soak up the sun and have a margarita, because why not?

https://keywest.com/