While national home prices and sales may not recover to their historical levels until 2013 at the earliest, some local housing markets always outperform others in any given year.

In this second annual report (see last year's report: Top 10 Markets to Watch in 2011), Inman News examined housing, economic and demographic data for metropolitan areas nationwide to identify 10 housing markets to watch in 2012.

These markets are showing signs of strength in several key metrics, including above-average price appreciation, a flourishing job market, a high rate of sales in proportion to population, a high level of home affordability, low foreclosure activity, a below-average share of distressed sales, a low vacancy rate, and other characteristics indicating a healthy housing market.

http://www.inman.com/reports/markets-watch2012/raleigh

Please join us at our open house held at 4304 W. US 70 Highway in Durham.  The open house will be from Sunday, January 15th from 2:00PM to 5:00PM.  If you would like more information please call Stacy Slone (919) 972-1180. 

The Ridgeway Bass Anglers will be holding an Open Team Bass Tournament on Hyco Lake on Saturday December 10th. Entry fee is $50 and includes the lunker. Tournament hours will be 7:00am - 3:00pm with a five fish limit and 14" minimum. Registration will start at 6:00am at the ramp and launch order will be based on order of registration. Payout will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd and lunker. We have other open tournaments scheduled on Hyco on January 14,2012 and February 11,2012. For more information or questions, contact Tommy at bassman13@embarqmail.com

Finding the newest fishing hot spots at three Piedmont lakes may be as simple as looking in the trees.

Since earlier this year, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission personnel have bundled and sunk more than 80 evergreen trees at Jordan Lake, dropped eight artificial "tree reefs" constructed of recycled plastic on Hyco Lake, and cut-and-cabled 36 trees along the shoreline of Randleman Lake - all to attract fish and improve fishing opportunities.

Many popular sportfish, such as largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill, congregate around trees and artificial structures because of the food, shelter and nursery habitats they provide, according to Corey Oakley, a biologist with the Commission who oversees fisheries management for Randleman, Jordan and Hyco lakes.

"Our research has shown that crappie really like to congregate around sunken evergreen trees and artificial structures, so crappie anglers should cast around the fish attractor buoys on Jordan and Hyco lakes this fall," Oakley said. "Likewise, as the largemouth bass and crappie fisheries continue to develop in Randleman Lake, the cut-and-cabled trees will provide excellent nursery habitats as well as locations for large fish to capture prey. In fact, we have already received reports from anglers who have caught large bass around these trees."

The evergreen trees and artificial structures on Jordan and Hyco are clearly marked with fish attractor buoys, which are white with orange markings, black lettering, and a green N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission diamond. The cut-and-cabled trees on Randleman Lake are marked with white and black N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission habitat enhancement signs.

For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, visit www.ncwildlife.org/fishing.

From The Caswell Messanger

West and Woodall is pleased to annouce they will be marketing The Harbor on Hyco.  The Harbor on Hyco is one of Hyco Lake's newest and most upscale developements.  There are several hallmarks that distingish The Harbor on Hyco from the other developments on Hyco; pre-built docks larger than the current 1800 square foot maximum, walking trails, paved roads with street lights, off-site septic, underground utilities, and a gated enterance with guard house.  There are several lots and homes available.  Call West and Woodall today at (336) 322-5800 and let us show you all The Harbor at Hyco has to offer.

West and Woodall is managing the rental of several dozen properties on Hyco, Mayo, and the surrounding area.  Is your home sitting vacant?  Interested in earning a little extra income with your home?  West and Woodall has clients looking for long term and short term rentals.  Please call Bill West at (919) 264-5498 or email bill@westandwoodall.com to discuss our property management options. 

West and Woodall is excited about this coming season!  We have been blessed with some great weather after a cold and snowy December and January.  The weather is only getting better.  We would like all our friends and their families to join us in Talley Pointe on May 21st to welcome the summer of 2011. 

West and Woodall will be having their third annual Hyco Lake Family Day.  There will be music, food and entertainment for the kids.  We will have a bluegrass band playing live music during the celebration.  There will be plenty of food--hamburgers, hotdogs, with lots of sides for lunch.  For desert there will be fresh strawberry shortcake and an ice cream truck filled with tasty treats.  There will be inflatable water slides and a treasure hunt for the kids! 

Please come and join us.  The event will be from 11AM to 3PM, on May 21st, in Talley Pointe.  Call us (336) 322-5800 if you need directions.  Talley Pointe is the second left after crossing the third bridge over Hyco, if you are coming north on 57.

As many folks know, AT&T has recenlty placed a cell phone tower in the Cobbs Creek area of the lake.  This has improved cell reception for those using AT&T, but many of us still us Verizon.  No news when Verizon will also have stronger signal in the area, but Signal Boosters of NC has the solution.  Signal Boosters of NC is installing the latest in wireless amplifiers.  Cell coverage has always been spotty in West and Woodall's office--impossible to complete a conversation.  With the signal booster we now have three bars and phones work great. 

Signal Boosters has installed several of these new aplifiers around the lake.  One client uses AT&T but was unable to get a signal on all three floors of their home.  Those folks have disconnected their land line and internet service and now exclusively use their iPhones and iPads for everything from phone calls to streaming sports and movies. 

So stop fighting the weak signal.  Call Signal Boosters of NC, (919) 818-7401, and ask Alan what he can do to help.  No more standing outside to be hear or making sure you stand in just the right spot while talking!!   http://www.signalboostersnc.com/

Before, during, and after the Hyco Lake July 4th boat parade, West and Woodall will be tossing out bottles of water with coozies.  We hope to keep the water iced enough to provide on-the-spot refreshment.  Then keep the coozie on your boat, in your boathouse, or any where you might need it in the future to keep your next beverage frosty! 

To add a little excitement to the mix, West and Woodall will announce several numbers on our Facebook Hyco Lake fan page after we toss out the bottles.  Each bottle will be individually numbered and if you are one of the lucky folks with a bottle matching a selected number--bring it by the office--we'll have some cash waiting for you!

Enjoy the Fourth--everything is coming together to make the weekend perfect!

Anyone else noticed all the trash under the bridges? West and Woodall introduces lots of new people to Hyco and we love to talk about how gorgeous Hyco Lake is. Having to idle past all the trash was making us sad, so we decided to try and make a difference! There was a lot of trash, and some of it smelly enough to make you gag--but we have cleaned a few of the bridges for the 4th weekend.