Winter is the time of year for most of us that we like to light the fire in the fireplace, curl up with a good book, a glass of wine and forget the bitter cold just outside our walls.  While fireplaces are a beautiful focal point, conversation piece and delight in the winter there are many preventative maintenance tips you should adhere to:     * Your chimney should be swept annually by a qualified professional.  A qualified Chimney Sweep can be sure that your chimney is free of debris and in good working order.     * The liner of your chimney needs to be free of cracks.  The liners allow for clear and smooth passage for smoke to rise out and out of your home and the liner prevents gas and fire flames from entering your home potentially cause illness or fire.     * Ensure that your flue... 09/18/2010

Following are charts representing the Wake Forest NC Real Estate Market Activity for the month of August 2010.  The first chart reports the number of CLOSED sales for August 2010 versus August 2009.  As noted on the chart the 31% decline in Sales when comparing the same time period from 2010 to 2009.  In August 2009 there were 71 Homes Sold in Wake Forest NC and only 49 CLOSED sales in 2010.   The next chart reports the Average Sales Price and the Median Sales price again comparing August 2010 to August 2009.  The Average Sales price has had a 9.7% increase in 2010 compared with 2009 however, the Median Sales Price has seen a 5.1% decrease when comparing the same time frame.  Please note, there is a vast difference between the terms Average and Median.  Median Sales Price is a more reli... 09/18/2010

There is an exciting week in store for Wake Forest NC!  There is the 15th Annual Wake Forest Artists' Studio Tour coming up next week and it is an incredibly fun and education event!  You really will want to check this  one out.  You can also participate in the "Support Our Troops" Walk/Run, check out the 2nd Annual Trentini Golf Tournament and so much more! Great events and things to do in Wake Forest NC this week - get out and enjoy! Firing Range Training Monday, Sept 20; 5 pm – 9 pm Police Department Firing Range, behind Flaherty Park Community Center Residents in the area are advised that the Wake Forest Police Department will conduct firing range training at the police department firing range, located behind the Flaherty Park Community Center. The firing range is utilized by Wake F... 09/18/2010

E. Carroll Joyner Park is the just one one of the parks and the latest park to join the extensive Wake Forest NC Parks system.  With over 117 acres this parks has wide open spaces, tree-lined paved walking trails, a 1000 seat amphitheater, a performance garden and more scheduled to come in the years to come.  A Trail Map is available here! Six Sundays in Spring, the extremely popular outdoor concert series, is now held at E. Carroll Joyner Park which provides the most amazing backdrop.  Pre-concert events can be enjoyed in the performance garden which is filled with fragrant herbs and plants.  The next time you have a little free time and just want to get out and explore some nature then E. Carroll Joyner Park is one place that you'll want to expore! E. Carroll Joyner Park is located at... 09/11/2010

There is a very full calendar of events this week in Wake Forest NC!  Everything from financial workshops, personal fitness classes, public input meetings to a fish fry and yard sales AND Good Neighbor Day!!  Seriously, this week's calendar is definitely worth checking out and penciling in a few events - see for yourself. With Fall just a short time away you can expect the Wake Forest NC calendar to start busting at the seams with great events suited for EVERYONE! Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) September Morning Club Meetings Monday, Sept 13, 20, 27; 9:30 am weigh in and 10:10 am meeting Wakefield Baptist Church, 13029 Falls of the Neuse Rd. TOPS is a non-profit weight loss support program that welcomes all! Your first session is free and annual membership is only $26.Contact Karen Ban... 09/11/2010

Visiting Open Houses This Weekend?  Get Prepared!  If you are thinking about touring some Open Houses this weekend then it must mean that you are finally ready to purchase a home.  Whether it is your first home or this is your second or third home Open Houses are a great way to get out and explore some new neighborhoods.  But, you have to be prepared! There are a few things that you'll want to keep in mind when you visit Open Houses and a few questions that you'll want to ask: Be sure to have a few of your Buyer's Agents business cards with you if you are not touring the Open Houses with your agent.  The agent holding the Open House works strictly for the seller, don't let them tell you any different, so you'll want to establish up front that you have exclusive Buyer's Representation. T... 09/10/2010

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Twin Creeks You might have seen the most recent Wake Forest NC Neighborhood post that highlighted Olde Mill Stream.  Well, Twin Creeks is tucked in behind Olde Mill Stream and is a beautiful community filled with natural beauty!  Twin Creeks is actually a newer part of Olde Mill Stream and is only accessible via Olde Mill Stream which makes Twin Creeks extremely quiet and peaceful with very little traffic. Trees are EVERY WHERE is Twin Creeks as are natural vistas that have been left untouched by the builders.  Currently, there are 12 homes available for sale in Twin Creeks and several lots that are still available for you to build your dream home.  The homes that are currently on the market range in price from $264,500 to $472,800.  The... 09/10/2010

Volunteers are needed in Downtown Wake Forest NC for the many up-coming Fall events that are scheduled!  Fall is an incredible time of year in Wake Forest NC with the Autumns Arts Festival, the Concert Series and MORE!  If you have some time and would like to help out then take a peek at the times available - just a few short hours of your time can make these events extraordinary!    The Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization needs volunteers! We have many exciting events coming up and are need in volunteers to help run the events. Autumn Arts Festival: Art In Store Volunteers are needed on October 9th for the following shifts         GC5 --      10 am to 12 pm      12 pm to 2 pm ·      2 pm to 4 pm         4 pm to 5:30 pm       Municipal Parking Lot --         10 am to 12 pm ·       12 pm... 09/08/2010

What a BEAUTIFUL weekend it has been in Wake Forest NC and I know there are SO many that were able to take today off and spend it with friends and family cooking out and just taking it easy!  I was fortunate that my parents came up for Florida for the weekend - WOW!  We hadn't seen each other in almost a year!  It was incredible to take a few days "off" and just spend time with them!  That's also why the weekly post is a little late but I am sure you can understand where my priorities were this weekend. This week in Wake Forest NC has a great line up of events!  It's the second Friday of the Month so you know what that means - Art After Hours!  In addition, there are several artist receptions happening AND the Grand Opening of the NEW Wake Forest NC Town Hall!  There is an Infant & Chil... 09/06/2010

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Olde Mill Stream Olde Mill Stream is a fantastic community in Wake Forest NC that were built between the mid-90's and mid 2000's.  Olde Mill Stream is located in north Wake Forest NC with easy access from both Capital Boulevard and Wall Street.  Grocery stores, restaurants and local amenities are just a short drive away.  The tree lined streets with sidewalks and the rolling topography enhance the appeal of Olde Mill Stream making it one of the most sough after neighborhoods in it's price point. Homes for sale in Olde Mill Stream range from $137,700 for a well-maintained ranch starter home with just under 1200 square feet to a custom built two-story with over 2500 square feet priced at $289,900.  Currently, there are 6 homes for sale in ... 09/06/2010

In the Wake Forest NC Real Estate market, both commercial AND residential inventory and sales are fluid!  Fluid as in moving like a rushing river and changing course!  What may have been considered a reasonable price point a few months ago for a property has most likely changed. I can promise that no Realtor® will argue the point that if you want to sell your home you must price it properly.  But, even well priced homes will, at times, linger on the market for a little longer and there may be certain factors that play into that. If you are in an area where you have strong competition chances are the other Realtors® and sellers are just as savvy and priced their properties properly.  With that, not every home, regardless of price, is going to be the perfect "fit" for every buyer.   Maybe... 09/02/2010

Hasentree is a beautiful community located in Wake Forest NC.  With winding roads, lush greens of the golf course, bountiful nature all around and some of the most amazing scenery in the area Hasentree is the perfect place to call home. With over 800+ acres Hasentree offers it's residents unprecedented amenities such as a Tom Fazio designed golf course, a 13,000 square foot Family Activity Center, walking trails, pools, playgrounds, and more!  In June of 2008 Hasentree was named a Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary - less than 75 communities nationwide have been awarded this distinct award and and Hasentree is one of only five in North Carolina.  The Family Activity Center serves as the heartbeat for this one of a kind community offering a resort styled swimming po... 08/31/2010

You know, I pride myself on knowing the "odd" things in life, the little tid-bits that you can throw out at a party - I call them my little "Pearls of Wisdom". For the longest time I use to throw out this one... Why is it that when you buy a bag of nuts in the store there are never any cashews yet when you buy mixed nuts in a can they are in there?  I know, doesn't bother many of you but it did me!  Well, had to research and come to find out - cashew shells are highly caustic - the oil can and does burn your skin.  There ya go.....  Now, on to the post..... In doing all of this research for the College teams around here I learned a great deal.  Have you heard the song Tobacco Road?  It was originally recorded by John Loudermilk.  Since the original version there have been re-recordings ... 08/31/2010

The Standard Commission Rate to Sell Your Home Is...... This could be a very simple post - I could easily say "There isn't one!" and be done with it.  However, I have noticed lately that there still seems to be the misconception among the general public that there is a set commission that a Real Estate agent (whether Realtor® or not) charges to sell your home.  There simply isn't which leads to another question.... What are discount brokers?  Again, a simple answer - I have never met one.  There are, however, two different types of Real Estate companies.  Traditional (Full Service as some like to call themselves) and Limited Service (a more a la carte type menu of services) Traditional Firms:  •·     Market your property to the fullest within the guidelines set forth by their respectiv... 08/28/2010

Blue Jay Point Park has a little bit for absolutely EVERYONE!  Between the lake, playgrounds, the baseball fields, soccer fields and trails it is simply a fantastic way to spend an afternoon!  My son is taking a field trip to Blue Jay Point Park this week with his school and I am so jealous - he will have a blast!    Typically, we we go, we take advantage of the huge playground that is there but this time decided to explore some of the exhibits they have as well as some trails that we had never hiked before......AMAZING!  The Blue Jay Point Center is loaded with educational information about the Falls Lake Watershed, Recycling, the forest, insects, etc....Learned quite a bit about the region that I hadn't know before!  Just outside of the center is the park's garden.  It is loaded with ... 08/28/2010

Wake Forest NC Community Calendar, Events and Things To Do - August 30 - September 5, 2010Be sure to get out this week and enjoy this cooler weather we are FINALLY experiencing in Wake Forest NC!  There are some amazing destination shops in downtown historic Wake Forest NC, awesome restaurants and coffee shop and plenty to do to help you spend your day!  Below are some of the events and meetings taking place this coming week - be sure to check back for some late additions as things to do in Wake Forest NC are ALWAYS being added to the calendar!Public Meeting: Wake Forest Bus ServiceTuesday, Aug 31; 5 – 7 pmWake Forest Town Hall, Ground Floor Meeting Room, 301 S. Brooks St.Wake Forest area residents will have the opportunity to offer their input on the Town’s bus service during a public ... 08/28/2010

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Northampton Northamption in Wake Forest NC is a wonderful community that offers tremendous homes, large lots and great amenities for it's residents.  Northampton is locate between Chalks Road and Jones Dairy Road which makes getting out and about in Wake Forest NC a breeze!  There is a mix of resale homes and new construction homes available in Northhampton which means you have quite a few different styles to choose from.  You can visit their on-site model home to preview any of the presale lots that are available as well as peruse the different floorplans and options they have to offer.  Northampton in Wake Forest NC offers it's residents a private community pool, a community playground and a picnic area with tables and a grill.  Many o... 08/28/2010

Weekends in Wake Forest NC - August 27 - 29, 2010 FINALLY!  The weather in Wake Forest NC has started to get a little cooler!  We may have a few more scorchers before it is all said and done but for now it is beautiful outside and should be awesome all weekend!  With the start of school activities were a little more on the reserved and quiet side this week and that rings true for the weekend as well.  Nonetheless, there are some things to do that you just might want to pencil into your calendar! Wake Forest Farmers Market Saturday, Aug 28; 8 am - noon Downtown parking lot, 110 S. White St. Come shopping for all your fresh vegetables, pasture raised meats, free range eggs. Baked goods, herbs, honey, jams and perserves. Fine art and crafts. Music provided by Larry Kirwan. Get up early, gr... 08/26/2010

If you missed the first post on Quick Guide to NC Residential Property Disclosure For Sellers you can certainly catch up! Just click over to Quick Guide to NC Residential Property Disclosure for Sellers Part I of IIPart I of this series was focused solely on the responsibility of the Property Seller. However, as a potential Home Buyer you are entitled to receive a NC Residential Property Disclosure prior to making an offer or shortly thereafter.  Here is how it would come into play for you as a Home Buyer. Once you find the property that you are interested in making an offer on, your Buyer's Agent would receive the signed NC Property Disclosure from the Listing Agent.  The form should be filled out completely and signed by the sellers.  Please read the Property Disclosure carefully!  It... 08/26/2010

When Your Home is Listed Be Mindful of Your Requests When a seller puts there home on the market they may make a few requests of Buyer's Agents and their Buyers for when their home is shown.  While that is perfectly acceptable and within your rights I thought I would list a few of the most common requests that I have run into and what some of the "issues" there may be with the requests. Please do not let cats/dogs outside - While your pet is your family member you may have a buyer looking at your home that is allergic to pets and quite possible afraid of them.  Also, you put a huge burden on an agent that is trying to show your home.  While it is their job to point out the highlights of your home and give the buyers a tour they will become distracted with trying to wrangle pets.  It rea... 08/25/2010