Having trouble viewing this email? Click here Discover Wake Forest NC September 2010 In This Issue Feature Blog Posts National Statistics Wake Forest NC Market Report Wake Forest NC Neighborhoods   Finally!  Cooler temperatures are going to start rolling into the Wake Forest NC area this week which is a sure sign of not just Fall but Festivals, the State Fair, outdoor concerts and MORE!  I am a little shocked to see so much Holiday Decor in the stores already but it does seem like each year it is put out on the shelves and in the aisles earlier and earlier.  I guess it is just a reminder to me that I need to get it in gear and start my Holiday planning!Wake Forest NC is simply amazing during the Holidays so be sure to keep an eye out for some upcoming posts with details on the events ... 09/25/2010

Looks like tomorrow will finally bring with it COOLER Fall weather!  Whew - these records 90s over the last few days have been rough!  The hot weather can make it tough to get into the Fall spirit and all the Festivals and outdoor events that come with it - but, we made it and the events are on their way!  This weeks list of things to do in Wake Forest NC is full of a variety that will appeal to EVERYONE! So, take a minute to check it all out and pencil in a few on YOUR calendar! Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) September Morning Club Meetings Monday, Sept 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 K... 09/25/2010

The Raleigh area is FULL of thrilling sports teams, ALL of which are great contenders, all within a short drive!  If you are looking for your fix then let me lay it all down for ya.......First up on deck? THE CAROLINA HURRICANES!!!!! The winds started churning in Raleigh NC in 1997!  That is when the announcement was made that the New England Whalers would soon be relocating and changing their name.  The only problem?  We didn't have a space for them!  So for the first few seasons the Carolina Hurricanes played their games in Greensboro NC which is a 1.5 hour drive from Raleigh.  Fan enthusiasm was minor given that we didn't know much about hockey and the drive was a drag.  Construction began on the ESA and a few short years later the Carolina Hurricanes debuted in their new arena.  The... 09/22/2010

River Mill is one of the oldest manufacturing mills in North Carolina and has seen many transitions in it's lifetime which has spanned the decades!  From the first recorded use in 1855 this mill has had many uses including granite mill, powder making factory during the Revolutionary War, paper mill, cotton mill and lastly an incredible restoration in the mid-80s turning the old mill into condos. This 23 acre site bounded by the Neuse River and Falls Lake is rich in wildlife, tranquility, history and natural beauty.  The backdrop of the dam and falls provides natural beauty beyond compare.  There are three separate buildings that comprise River Mill; The Annex, The Mill and The Woods.  Opportunities are rare to own a condo within these buildings.  River Mill is listed on the National Reg... 09/22/2010

Given that the Absorption Rate in Wake Forest NC is trending high, as it is in most areas of the country, the Market Reports for the various neighborhoods are not shocking.  Here is a August 2010 Market Report for Dansforth in Wake Forest NC.  As you can see, there was minimal activity for the month of August.  There was one property that sold, NO properties went under contract and there is a healthy supply of homes for sale with an average List Price of $314,075. Below is a list of all the homes that are CURRENTLY for sale in Dansforth.  If you would like more information regarding Dansforth and it's amenities or homes for sale in Dansforth please feel free to give me a call or simply send me an email - I'd be happy to help!  You might also want to check out my series of neighborhood p... 09/22/2010

There was limited activity for the month of August 2010 in Fairlake, Wake Forest NC.  There were no closed transactions nor did any listings in Fairlake receive a contract.  There are currently 5 homes for sale in Fairlake that are priced from $279,900.00 - $410,000.00.     For more information on Fairlake and Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please be sure to check out  Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - Fairlake 09/21/2010

Absorption Rate - What's It All Mean?Many times when I create the monthly market reports I reference the Absorption Rate.  On listing appointments I mention the Absorption Rate and even use it to assist me with my Competitive Market Analysis.  An Absorption Rate is a great indicator of what is happening in a local real estate market.An Absorption Rate quite simply is the supply of homes that are on the market.  For instance, if there is an Absorption Rate of 8 is would mean that should NO other homes be listed it would take 8 months for the currently listed homes to sell or to be "absorbed" back into the market.Typically, a balanced market has an Absorption Rate of 6.  That means that it is neither a Sellers Market nor a Buyers Market.  When you see the Absorption Rate go above 6 then y... 09/18/2010

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