Exciting Week of Events in Wake Forest NC - August 9 - 15, 2010 Wake Forest NC has an incredible week of events in store for both residents and tourists!  This upcoming weekend is the much anticipated Art After Hours, there is a Neighborhood Block Party, "Taste of the Market" at the Wake Forest Farmers Market, an outdoor concert at The Factory and so much more! Take the time to get out and enjoy all that Wake Forest NC has to offer this week - you WON'T be disappointed! Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) August Morning Club Meetings Monday, Aug 9, 16, 23, 30; 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 Kare... 08/07/2010

Tax Free Weekend in North Carolina - August 6 - 8, 2010 Whew!  I just got back from the store and it was PACKED!  I forgot that this weekend was the Free Sales Tax Weekend in North Carolina.  I survived! What does the Tax Free Weekend mean to you?  Well, it's the perfect time to get your "Back To School" shopping done.  Here are some of the items that you can find this weekend that are exempt from Sales Tax: Clothing with a sales price of one hundred dollars ($100.00) or less per item.  Sport or recreational equipment with a sales price of fifty dollars ($50.00) or less per item.  “Sport or recreational equipment” is defined as items designed for human use and worn in conjunction with an athletic or recreational activity that are not suitable for general use. The items listed below are ... 08/06/2010

Wake Forest NC Library - A Little Something For Everyone Wake Forest NC has a fantastic library!  It may seem a little small but it is packed with activities and brimming with a thorough collection of books for both leisure reading as well as resource tools for school projects.  Located in downtown Wake Forest it is easily accessible and many neighborhoods are within walking distance. Some great benefits of this library are the wonderful programs that they have for children.  You can register (FREE) for story times (not all require registration) that are geared to all age groups. Baby and Me (ages 6 to 18 months)Tuesdays at 10 a.m.This program is for our tiniest patrons and their caregivers. The program encourages interaction between caregiver and child through songs, fingerplays, baby ... 08/06/2010

Weekends in Wake Forest NC - August 6 - 8, 2010 Don't forget to get out and enjoy your Weekend in Wake Forest!  There are some wonderful events on the calendar and the weather is supposed to be just gorgeous!  Wake Forest Farmers Market: Canning Demonstration Saturday, August 7; 8 am – noon Downtown parking lot, 110 S. White St. Canning demonstration by Robin Roper. Music provided by Dry Bread. The market offers fresh and locally grown produce, pasture raised beef, lamb, poultry and pork, free range eggs (both chicken and duck). Honey, baked goods, jams and preserves, fresh and dried herbs, handmade soaps, fresh cut flowers, art and crafts. www.wakeforestfarmersmarket.org Purple Heart Dinner Saturday, Aug 7; 6 pm – 8 pm Tuxedo Junction, 405 S. Brooks St. Tickets are on sale and sponsors... 08/05/2010

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Crenshaw Hall Crenshaw Hall is a fabulous subdivision in Wake Forest NC that is convenient to EVERYTHING!  Easy access to Hwy 98 makes commutes to RTP and Durham very easy and Capital Blvd is right around the corner which takes you straight into Raleigh NC!  Crenshaw Hall is located in close proximity to Target, Home Depot, Banks, Restaurants and MORE!  A beautiful clock tower greets you as you enter Crenshaw Hall and the neighborhood amenities include a community pool, tennis courts, and playgrounds. Currently there are three homes for sale in Crenshaw Hall that range in price from $369,000.00 to $499,900.00.  Each home currently for sale has a style all to it's own and range in size from 2958 sqft to 4997 sqft.  These current listings ... 08/05/2010

This Is Wake Forest NC and We Didn't Mean To Trick You! I can not tell you how many times I have been in stores or restaurants and I hear tourists asking for directions to the Wake Forest University.  When they find that although they may BE in Wake Forest NC the University is approximately 2 hours away......Talk about frustrated!  Sometimes they even get mad like it was a whole conspiracy by the town to mislead them.......Well, here is a little history lesson regarding Wake Forest and well, Wake Forest..... Way, way back in February of 1834 (told you it was way back) the very first class enrolled in what was then called the Wake Forest College.  When the Civil War started all the students but 5 were obligated to the Confederate Army.  That huge loss of student body forced the school to... 08/03/2010

National Night Out in Wake Forest NC - August 3, 2010 Join your neighbors tomorrow night, August 3, at Target in Wake Forest NC for the 27th Annual National Night Out!  National Night Out is designed to promote safe, healthy neighborhoods, increase crime and drug prevention, foster police-community relationships and to generate support for local anti-crime programs. The annual National Night Out Parking Lot Party is being hosted by the Wake Forest NC Police Department and Target which is the national sponsor for National Night Out.  There will DEFINITELY be something for everyone: Food and prizes performing choirs Army National Guard helicopter WFPD and the US Secret Service will provide child identification fingerprint kits via Operation Safe Kids Child Safety Seat technicians WFPD K-9... 08/02/2010

Let's Get To Know Each Other First - Date Me! Okay, so, be-bopping along my morning the other day doing what I have to do the phone rings - Out of state caller. Me:  Hello, this is Leesa. Them:  Hello, my name is (inaudible and phone ringing in the background)  Can you hold? Me: No and at that point I hang up.... About two minutes later they call again. Them: Yes this is (inaudible AGAIN).  I am calling about a house.  I will be there next Wednesday and Thursday and I must see house.  You set this up.  And others. Me: What house? Them: "One of my listings"  (which is temporarily off the market!) Me: I am sorry - I didn't get your name. Can you spell that for me? >>>>They spell a first name. Me:  And, can i have a last name? >>>>They spell a last name. Them:  Here is my cell phone 555-55... 08/01/2010

ALL Homes For Sale in Wake Forest NC Have Home Warranties in August 2010! - Ask Me! I have been fortunate to call Wake Forest my home for many years!  I blog about it non-stop, I get out and meet the business owners and residents.  It is wonderful to walk downtown and wave to all the people that I know.  It can be like that for you, too! This wonderful community has a wide variety of homes to choose from in all price ranges and of all styles.  Each neighborhood has it's own unique vibe and there is definitely a place for EVERYONE in Wake Forest NC.  In the meantime, I wanted to share my "special" for the month of August, 2010.  For all of my buyers I will provide a FREE American Home Shield Warranty for the month of August.  What does that mean?  It means that EVERY buyer that enters in... 07/31/2010

I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow is Not Whether you are thinking of buying a home or possibly selling your home you more than likely have stumbled upon Zillow and thought you hit the mother-load of real estate information!  It's a fancy site with Zestimates, has homes marked on a map that are either currently listed or have recently sold, and you can spy on your best friends home on the other side of town to see what it's worth and that's cool, right?  Wrong!  Well, if spying on your neighbor is cool to you then that's your business BUT if you are thinking of buying or selling a home then you want to steer clear of Zillow. You see, I cringe when I speak with a buyer or seller and they come at me with all their research from Zillow.  They already have a predetermined listprice ba... 07/31/2010

Camping in Wake Forest NC - A Quick Yet Peaceful Getaway Close to Home! There are some spectacular spots for camping in the Carolinas from the mountains to the beaches and the many lakes that dot this breathtaking state! With Falls Lake being right here in Wake Forest NC there are quite a few GORGEOUS camping locations!  Both sites in this post are located on the perimeter of Falls Lake.   Shinleaf: Shinleaf is a back to basics type of destination.  Of all of the site located around Falls Lake, Shinleaf has the least amenities.  There is a two-mile portion of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail that pretty much follows the shore line at Shinleaf.  There are 89 campsites thoughtfully sited in the woods well away from the parking lot (typically a quarter-mile) and each is equipped with a tent pad,... 07/31/2010

Things To Do In Wake Forest NC!  August 2 - 8, 2010 There is a great assortment of events in Wake Forest NC this week!  Everything from free seminars on how to save money on your water bill to free canning demonstrations at the Wake Forest NC Farmers Market. This week also has highlighted National Night Out which is a nationwide event that is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for participation in local anticrime programs and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. Also this week is the Purple Heart Recipient Dinner to honor military veterans that received the Purple Heart. Be sure to get out and enjoy all that Wake Forest NC has to offer this week! Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) August Club Meetings Monday, Aug 2, 9,... 07/31/2010

Thanks to all who joined us at our Grand Opening celebration for our newest community, Northampton in Wake Forest. We had an awesome time and are so glad we had so many people to celebrate with! If you're a Triangle Realtor and didn't get a chance to stop by, we hope you'll join us for our next Realtor event. Here are a couple of my favorite photos from the Grand Opening Luncheon: Standard Pacific Homes sales agents and staff, as well as Raleigh-area Realtors, waiting to cut the red ribbon at our new Northampton home sales office.   Our $1,000 grand prize drawing winner accepting her prize! 07/30/2010

Weekends in Wake Forest NC - July 30 - August 1, 2010 There's a fantastic weekend of events in Wake Forest NC and you won't want to miss ANY of them!  Check out the fun coming up this weekend and schedule them in YOUR calendar!  Don't miss the crazy firemen in their full-length gowns as it should be an absolute riot!  The Wake Forest Farmer's Market is having a "Meet Your Farmer" day on Saturday and then the weekend winds down with an awesome FREE Concert in the Park at E. Carroll Joyner Park.  Get out and enjoy it all! 1st Annual Womanless Beauty Pageant Friday, July 30; 6 pm Crossroads Entertainment, 413 S. Brooks St. The firemen of Wake Forest and Youngsville have gallantly agreed to wear full-length gowns in a fundraising beauty pageant for local teachers. All proceeds will go to “T... 07/29/2010

Wake Forest NC is honoring it's Purple Heart Recipients veterans with a Recognition Dinner at 6:00p.m. on August 7, 2010.  The public is invited to dinner to honor military vets who received the Purple Heart.  This years dinner will be held at Tuxedo Junction.  Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at The Wake Weekly (229 E. Owen Ave, Wake Forest) For more information please contact Mike Johnson at 919-528-9888, Mike Copeland at 919-556-1065 or Lisa Newhouse. The Purple Heart is awarded for: "Being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces." Date:  Saturday, August 7, 2010 Time:  6:00 p.m. Where:  Tuxedo Junction   07/29/2010

Wake Forest NC Market Report for June 2010 June 2010 turned out to be an exciting month for Wake Forest NC Real Estate!  Overall, Closed Sales were up and Median Sales Prices were up and Median Sales prices dipped slightly when compared to June of 2009. Closed Sales had a 41.6% increase jumping from 77 Closed Sales in 2009 to 109 Closed Sales in 2010. June 2010 also found Average Sales Prices dipped slightly by 1.1% while Median Sales Prices increased by 30.2% The number of listings making up the "Wake Forest NC Homes For Sale" inventory were up by 23.5% As shown by the Price Point graph below you can see that there is a wide variety of homes available in all price points in Wake Forest NC.  In addition to single family homes in Wake Forest NC there is also a great assortment of Townhom... 07/27/2010

FSBO - Hey, It Only Works If You Can Be Reached So, today I had a listing appointment right down the street from where I have a current listing.  I was prepared with my notes, paperwork and CMA (Comparative Market Analysis).  When I get to the neighborhood today I notice that there is a brand new FSBO sign at one of the homes.  Hhmmm... I called the number on the sign.... Me:  Yes, I am calling about the home that you have for sale.  Can you give me a little information? Them:  Actually, no, you'll need to call another number.  It's my mother and her number is 555-xxxx Me:  Thanks So, I call the new number - the one NOT on the sign.... Me:  Yes, I am calling about the home that you have for sale.  Can you give me a little information? Them:  Oh, ha, ha - I accidentally gave you my cell ... 07/24/2010

Well, the heat wave will continue on next week in Wake Forest NC as well as the majority of the country!  Whew, it's been brutal!  The heat may actually be getting to the leaders and residents of Wake Forest NC - don't believe me?  Check out the first event on the calendar!  There are some BRAVE men in Wake Forest NC!  The 1st Annual Womenless Beauty Pageant should be an absolute blast!  You also won't want to miss the Wake Forest NC Farmers Market Tomato Fest - the tomato harvest has been bountiful and besides great recipes for ways to use your tomatoes, there are tons of great tomato-inspired treats and always, PLENTY of other fresh produce. The weekend ends on a musical note with a FREE Concert in the Park at E. Carroll Joyner Park.  This featured band on August 1st will be "Chuck & ... 07/24/2010

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Austin Creek Austin Creek is a brand new community in Wake Forest NC that has a community swimming pool, walking trails and a clubhouse ideal for neighborhood activities.  The tree-lined streets wind through the community evoking memories of a simple time.  Currently there are 6 homes for sale in Austin Creek with many more soon to hit the Multiple Listing Service.  The price range at this time of those available is $185,990 - $299,900.  Square footage ranges from 1831 - 3061 with various styles and floorplans available.  Some homes have garages locatedin the rear of the home with an alley access which allows for a full frontal profile of the home.  There are also cottage homes available which are recognizable by their smaller lot footpr... 07/23/2010

There are exciting and fun things to do all week in Wake Forest NC but the weekends are always super-charge!  Here's the line up for all the great events in Wake Forest NC this weekend.  I hope you get the chance to get out and explore a little - I am sure I will see you in a few places of you do! Remember, it's HOT this weekend so drink lots of water and stay cool....... Barbara Blaisdell Exhibit at The Cotton Company Monday, July 5 thru Sunday, Aug 8 The Cotton Company, 306 S. White St. The Cotton Company in historic downtown Wake Forest will be featuring the work of Barbara Blaisdell, “My World in Black and White.” The images Barbara Blaisdell will be displaying represent her view of the world in black and white. She has been strongly drawn to the diversity and intricacies of light a... 07/22/2010