January 2010 Triangle Pulse of the Public Survey

Well, I almost let the month go by without doing my Pulse of the Public Survey. What with all that's been going on with elections, the economy, jobs, global warming, banking, housing and all the rest there certainly is no shortage of topics to ask you about.

As usual, some questions remain the same so that we can track changes in public opinion over time.

Results will be in my February email newsletter.

Now that the holidays are over it's time to get a bit more serious with the questions. I hope you will take the five minutes or less that it will take to participate.

Thanks,

Tim McBrayer

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1. How do you feel about the state of the nation's economy over the next 12 months?

How do you feel about the state of the nation's economy over the next 12 months? Very Optimistic

Somewhat Optimistic

Very Pessimistic

Somewhat Pessimistic

Not Sure

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2. How do feel about the state of the Triangle area's economy over the next 12 months?

How do feel about the state of the Triangle area's economy over the next 12 months? Very Optimistic

Somewhat Optimistic

Very Pessimistic

Somewhat Pessimistic

Not Sure

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3. Are you personally expecting to be better off 12 months from now than you are today?

Are you personally expecting to be better off 12 months from now than you are today? Yes, I'm going to be better off

No, I think I will be worses off

I think I'll be about the same as I am today

I don't have a clue

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4. How long have you lived in the Triangle?

How long have you lived in the Triangle? I'm not yet a resident but I hope to be within the next year

I'm not yet a resident but I hope to be within the next two years

I've lived in the Triangle for less than six months

I've lived in the Triangle between six months and one year

I've lived in the Triangle for more than a year but less than 3 years

I've lived in the Triangle for more than 3 years but less than 10 years

I've lived in the Triangle for more than 10 years but I'm not a native

I've lived here all my life

I have no plans to move to the Triangle

5. If you are planning to relocate to or across the Triangle area in the next 12 months where are you most interested in moving to?

If you are planning to relocate to or across the Triangle area in the next 12 months where are you most interested in moving to? Clayton

Wake Forest

Other

Chapel Hill

Morrisville

Cary

Apex

Durham

Creedmoor

Knightdale

Franklinton

Youngsville

Hillsborough

Fuquay Varina

Garner

Raleigh

Rolesville

Other (please specify)

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6. Do you feel that our country's leaders are taking us in the right direction?

Do you feel that our country's leaders are taking us in the right direction? Yes, I agree with almost all of the steps our leaders are taking at this time.

I agree with most of the things that our leaders are doing but not everything

I disagree with most of the things are leaders are doing but agree with a few decisions they have made.

I disagree with all of the decisions our leaders have made so far in 2009.

None of the above

Other (please specify)

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7. What is the biggest issue facing the United States over the next 12 months?

What is the biggest issue facing the United States over the next 12 months? The Overall Economy

Healthcare

Education

National Security

Foreigh Affairs

The Environment

Transportation

Political Parties Working Together to Solve the Big Problems

The National Debt

Inflation

Real Estate

The Banking Industry

Global Warming

None of the above

Is there something not on the list that you think is most important?

8. What is the biggest issue facing the state of North Carolina over the next 12 months?

What is the biggest issue facing the state of North Carolina over the next 12 months? The Overall Economy

Healthcare

Education

Transportation

Jobs

The Environment

How to balance the state budget

I don't know enough about NC yet to make an informed choice.

Other - if you select Other please tell us what you feel is most important.

Is there something not on the list that you think is most important?

9. Do you believe that Congress will pass any kind of health care legislation before the 2010 elections?

Do you believe that Congress will pass any kind of health care legislation before the 2010 elections? Yes, I think they will and I want them to

No, I don't think they will and I am not in favor of a major overhaul. I think we can make improvements to our existing system without a dramatic increase in costs.

Yes, I think they will but I am not in favor of a major overhaul. We can make a lot of changes to improve our system without dramatically increasing our national debt.

I'm not sure if any major overhaul will take place and I don't want it to - our system may need some changes but nothing like what Congress and President Obama were proposing.

No, I don't think they will but I do think we need a major overhaul of our healtcare system

I'm not sure if a major change will take place but I wish some major overhaul of our public healthcare system was achieved because I think it's very much needed.

Other (please specify)

10. Do you feel that in order to pay for rising government expenses both at the state and Federal levels you will be paying higher taxes in 2010 than you did (as a percent of your gross income) than you have in the past?

Do you feel that in order to pay for rising government expenses both at the state and Federal levels you will be paying higher taxes in 2010 than you did (as a percent of your gross income) than you have in the past? Yes but I don't think I should have to

I don't care

No but if they did raise taxes I would support paying more

I don't have a clue

No but if they did raise taxes I would not be in favor of paying more

Yes and I think I should be paying more taxes

Other (please specify)

11. President Obama has just finished his first year in office. How would you rate his overall performance?

President Obama has just finished his first year in office. How would you rate his overall performance? Terrible - one of the worst Presidents in history

Fantastic - one of the best Presidents in history

Poor

Too early to tell how good or bad his presidency is going to end up

Excellent

Good

Fair

12. NC Governor Perdue has just finished her first year in office. How would you rate her overall performance?

NC Governor Perdue has just finished her first year in office. How would you rate her overall performance? Too early to tell how good or bad her Governorship is going to end up

Terrible - one of the worst NC Governors in history

Poor

Good

Fair

Excellent

Fantastic - one of the best NC Governors in history

13. What do you think the election of U.S. Senator Scott Brown in Massachusetts indicated?

What do you think the election of U.S. Senator Scott Brown in Massachusetts indicated? That voters were not infavor of the national healthcare plan as proposed by the Democrats in Congress and President Obama

That they wanted a change and sticking with the Democratic candidate would be more of the same

Other reason

That they were not impressed with the Democratic candidate

They they thought Scott Brown stood for the things they believed in

That voters wanted to send a message to Congress that they did not want any party to have a 60 vote Fillibuster-Proof majority

That the change Obama promised as a candidate is not the change they wanted when they overwhelmly voted for him in 2008.

Other (please specify)

14. How would you label your political views?

How would you label your political views? More Conservative

More Moderate

More Liberal

It really changes based on the subject we're talking about

15. Do you believe the U.S. Government should try the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and his co-conspirators in NY City

Do you believe the U.S. Government should try the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and his co-conspirators in NY City No - try them at Camp Gitmo as prisoners of war

Not Sure

Yes

No - but still try them in a civilian courtroom somewhere in the U.S.

Other (please specify)

16. Should the tax cuts enacted during the Bush years stay in place during these tough economic times?

Should the tax cuts enacted during the Bush years stay in place during these tough economic times? Yes - But only until unemployment is back below 5%

No - We need the revenue now to run the government and reduce our national debt

Other

Yes - They should become permanent.

No - The rich are paying too little in taxes and it's only fair that they pay a larger share of all taxes paid by citizens

Other (please specify)

17. Do you believe Global Warming is an immediate threat to mankind and that the U.S. needs to take major steps to reduce our contribution to Global Warming regardless of what other countries do about the threat?

Do you believe Global Warming is an immediate threat to mankind and that the U.S. needs to take major steps to reduce our contribution to Global Warming regardless of what other countries do about the threat? No - I believe a lot of the science is bogus and that nature, not man, is the major contributor to any global warming threat that may exist.

Yes - I believe that Global Warming is a major threat and that we should take whatever steps necessary to reduce it's risk, regardless of what other countries do.

No - While I believe Global Warming is possible I don't believe it is the danger that supporters make it out to be. Other

Yes, I believe in the threat but I don't believe the U.S. should be the lone major country to support anti Global Warming efforts.

Other (please specify)

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18. What is the strongest factor that you believe is influencing people who are moving or seriously thinking about moving to the Triangle?

What is the strongest factor that you believe is influencing people who are moving or seriously thinking about moving to the Triangle? Over all quality of life

Quality of public and privat educational choices

Low taxes compared to most states

Good value when it comes to homes and land compared to most markets

Job opportunities

A conducive environment for starting or expanding a company

Centralize location making the Triangle a short distance to both the mountains and the coastal area

The natural beauty of the Triangle area

Health care

Higher education options

Other - if you select this please put your answer in the box below

Other (please specify)

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19. Are you more of a mountain person or do you prefer the beach?

Are you more of a mountain person or do you prefer the beach? Mountain

Beach

Neither

Like both equally well

20. What is your favorite hobby?

What is your favorite hobby? Walking or Jogging

Reading

Golf

Knitting

Playing card games

Woodworking

Watching TV

Shopping

Tennis

Gardening

Going to movies

Scrapbookinig

Other

Traveling

Other (please specify)

21. Who will win the Super Bowl on January 7th?

Who will win the Super Bowl on January 7th? The Colts

The Saints

Who I think will be national champion

22. Which team is a sure bet to be in then NCAA men's basketball Final Four Tournament?

Which team is a sure bet to be in then NCAA men's basketball Final Four Tournament? Duke

Syracuse

Kentucky

Texas

Other

Kansas

Florida

UNC

Other (please specify)

23. Where do you think our unemployment rate will be by the end of 2010?

Where do you think our unemployment rate will be by the end of 2010? Above 12%

Above 15%

Between 5 and 6%

Between 6 and 7%

Above 7%

Above 10%

Under 5%

I have no clue

24. Should the government have a say over what banks and other financial institutions can pay their employees if these companies have repaid all money loan to the by the U.S. Government, with interest?

Should the government have a say over what banks and other financial institutions can pay their employees if these companies have repaid all money loan to the by the U.S. Government, with interest? I'm not sure

Yes

25. If you were put in charge of raising money for the U.S. Government what would be the fist thing you would do?

If you were put in charge of raising money for the U.S. Government what would be the fist thing you would do? Enact the Fair Tax

Raise taxes on everyone by 10%

Cut cost by 10% across the board, including the military

Get rid of Earmarks in Congress

26. Do you believe in term limits?

Do you believe in term limits? No

Not sure

Yes

27. Where do you think Home Mortgage Interest Rates for 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgages will be by the end of 2010?

Where do you think Home Mortgage Interest Rates for 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgages will be by the end of 2010? Between 5.5% and 6%

Between 6% and 8%

Still under 5%

Between 8% and 10%

Between 5% and 5.5%

Between 10% and 12%

Above 12%

28. What is the one thing you will do to save money this year?

What is the one thing you will do to save money this year? Won't go on a vacaton

Cut back on going out to eat and movies

Other

Cut back on essentials like utilities

Will work another job, or two to make ends meet

Will pay off all credit card debt to save on interest payments

Other (please specify)

29. What sport do you follow the most?

What sport do you follow the most? College Basketball

College Football

College Soccer

NASCAR

Other

Professional Baseball

Professional Basketball

Professional Football

Professional Hockey

Other (please specify)

30. Will you be spending more than $1,000 this year on a family vacation?

Will you be spending more than $1,000 this year on a family vacation? No

Not sure

Yes

31. If you have done a major renovation/update to your home in the past year what was it and how much did it cost?

If you have done a major renovation/update to your home in the past year what was it and how much did it cost?

32. Are there any questions that you would like to see in the next survey?

Are there any questions that you would like to see in the next survey?

33. What additional services or tools can I provide that would help make buying and/or selling real estate easier and more pleasant?

What additional services or tools can I provide that would help make buying and/or selling real estate easier and more pleasant?

34. If you are answering this survey for the very first time please let me know if it OK for me to continue to send you these monthly surveys? I don't know who responds to each survey which is for your privacy protection. So if all you do is select NO I won't know who to take off my list. If your answer is either one of the NO answers below then please send a separate email to Tim@TheTrianglesBroker.com and tell me WHAT I should refrain from sending you in the future.

Thanks

If you are answering this survey for the very first time please let me know if it OK for me to continue to send you these monthly surveys? I don't know who responds to each survey which is for your privacy protection. So if all you do is select NO I won't know who to take off my list. If your answer is either one of the NO answers below then please send a separate email to Tim@TheTrianglesBroker.com and tell me WHAT I should refrain from sending you in the future. Thanks Yes, I enjoy getting a regular opportunity to voice my opinion and then seeing how everyone else responded

No. Please do not send me any more surveys but you can continue to send your monthly email newsletter.

No. Please do not send me any more emails of any kind.

January 2010 Triangle Pulse of the Public Survey

*1. How do you feel about the state of the nation's economy over the next 12 months?

*2. How do feel about the state of the Triangle area's economy over the next 12 months?

*3. Are you personally expecting to be better off 12 months from now than you are today?

*4. How long have you lived in the Triangle?

5. If you are planning to relocate to or across the Triangle area in the next 12 months where are you most interested in moving to?

*6. Do you feel that our country's leaders are taking us in the right direction?

*7. What is the biggest issue facing the United States over the next 12 months?

8. What is the biggest issue facing the state of North Carolina over the next 12 months?

9. Do you believe that Congress will pass any kind of health care legislation before the 2010 elections?

10. Do you feel that in order to pay for rising government expenses both at the state and Federal levels you will be paying higher taxes in 2010 than you did (as a percent of your gross income) than you have in the past?

11. President Obama has just finished his first year in office. How would you rate his overall performance?

12. NC Governor Perdue has just finished her first year in office. How would you rate her overall performance?

13. What do you think the election of U.S. Senator Scott Brown in Massachusetts indicated?

14. How would you label your political views?

15. Do you believe the U.S. Government should try the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and his co-conspirators in NY City

16. Should the tax cuts enacted during the Bush years stay in place during these tough economic times?

17. Do you believe Global Warming is an immediate threat to mankind and that the U.S. needs to take major steps to reduce our contribution to Global Warming regardless of what other countries do about the threat?

*18. What is the strongest factor that you believe is influencing people who are moving or seriously thinking about moving to the Triangle?

*19. Are you more of a mountain person or do you prefer the beach?

20. What is your favorite hobby?

21. Who will win the Super Bowl on January 7th?

22. Which team is a sure bet to be in then NCAA men's basketball Final Four Tournament?

23. Where do you think our unemployment rate will be by the end of 2010?

24. Should the government have a say over what banks and other financial institutions can pay their employees if these companies have repaid all money loan to the by the U.S. Government, with interest?

25. If you were put in charge of raising money for the U.S. Government what would be the fist thing you would do?

26. Do you believe in term limits?

27. Where do you think Home Mortgage Interest Rates for 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgages will be by the end of 2010?

28. What is the one thing you will do to save money this year?

29. What sport do you follow the most?

30. Will you be spending more than $1,000 this year on a family vacation?

31. If you have done a major renovation/update to your home in the past year what was it and how much did it cost?

32. Are there any questions that you would like to see in the next survey?

33. What additional services or tools can I provide that would help make buying and/or selling real estate easier and more pleasant?

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1. How do you feel about the state of the nation's economy over the next 12 months?

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2. How do feel about the state of the Triangle area's economy over the next 12 months?

*
3. Are you personally expecting to be better off 12 months from now than you are today?

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4. How long have you lived in the Triangle?

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6. Do you feel that our country's leaders are taking us in the right direction?

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7. What is the biggest issue facing the United States over the next 12 months?

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18. What is the strongest factor that you believe is influencing people who are moving or seriously thinking about moving to the Triangle?

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19. Are you more of a mountain person or do you prefer the beach?