Oh my goodness, between Outdoor Concerts, a Dance Marathon, Fundraisers and a Fish Fry there are just so many things to do in Wake Forest NC this week!!!  Not to mention, preparations are under way for the super spectacular July 4th Celebration in Wake Forest NC.  Get out this week and check out some of the local events - you'll be so happy you did!  And, while you're out check out some of the local restaurants and shops - we have some true gems in Wake Forest NC!  Need a little direction?  Check out my Wake Forest NC Info page for a few suggestions!  Have fun this week! Town Hall Closed Monday, May 31 Wake Forest Town Hall, 401 Elm Ave. The Wake Forest Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. Garbage, recycling, and yard w... 05/29/2010

The Carolina Mudcats are just around the corner from Wake Forest NC!  THE CAROLINA MUDCATS!!!!!   Looking for a fun-filled event?  Then check this out!  In 1993, the Carolina Mudcats became a double-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins in the Southern League!  The games are an absolute blast!  Five County Stadium is a great stadium located in Zebulon which is just a short drive from Wake Forest NC.  Promotional nights are always fun and the Friday Night Fireworks are a sight to see - SPECTACULAR!!  I just don't see how they put on the show that they do every Friday night.      Don't forget to get your picture taken with Muddy the Mudcat!  He is a hoot and is always posing for pictures.  Seriously, this is a great outing for the entire family!! They have a home games this weekend so it wou... 05/28/2010

I blogged a while ago about the fantastic Wine Shop, Twisted Vine, located in downtown Wake Forest NC.  If you missed that post you can catch up on all the particulars at Wake Forest NC - The Twisted Vine Wine Shoppe - Historic Downtown Wake Forest! Every Saturday you can meet up at the Twisted Vine with your friends (or meet some new one while you are there) for their Wine Tasting.  From 12 noon - 4pm each Saturday you can taste a variety of wines that are sure to fit any budget and palate! It's a great place to stop off after a morning of perusing the fresh produce and goods at the Farmer's Market in historic downtown Wake Forest NC!  Get out and explore - there is so much to do in Wake Forest NC! Twisted Vine 156 South White Street Wake Forest NC  27587 919-816-7657 Open everyday fro... 05/27/2010

If you aren't familiar with the festivities in Wake Forest NC for the 4th of July then you have just experienced a true 4th of July celebration!  I am always amazed with how each year the Wake Forest NC 4th of July Celebration improves upon itself from the year before - seriously, they top themselves every year! This year there is still time to volunteer your time and efforts to be on the Wake Forest NC 4th of July Committee and be a part of one of the years BEST celebrations..... Volunteers are needed for the July 3 Fireworks Celebration and on July 5 with "Art in the Park" and "Games in the Park." Volunteers are not required to regularly attend the committee's planning meetings. For more information, please contact Rhonda Alderman at fireworklady@aol.com or (919) 812-9121 05/26/2010

There is NO way that this little gem should be kept a secret!  A few weeks ago I signed up for The Produce Box and I just could not be happier!  The Produce Box is a local delivery company that delivers locally grown and REALLY straight from the field farm-fresh produce to your DOOR every week!  What a brilliant concept!  Every week you get a choice of 3 different boxes to choose from.  Box A and Box B have very accurate descriptions of what you can expect to have delivered.  Box C, however, is their "surprise box".  While they may give you an idea of one or two items in Box C the remainder of it will be filled with surprise treats from the farm.  Each box that I have had delivered has been OVERFLOWING with fresh produce that is the absolute highest quality I have ever experienced.  I h... 05/24/2010

What a great way to cool off, splash around and spend the afternoon! Holding Park Community Pool Opening Memorial Day Weekend (May 29) for weekends only until June 12.  Then the full summer season kick offs with Holding Park Pool open for Public/Open swims times Monday thru Friday 1:00pm - 6:00pm and 1:00pm - 7:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.   Holding Park Pool is one of the largest outdoor public swimming pools in the area - the 50-meter pool is open in the summer and offers "open" swim times, swim lessons, lap swims, parent/toddler swims and water aerobics! Admission is very reasonable at only $4 for ages 13 and over, $3 for ages 3 - 12 and $1 for children under the age of 2. You can bring your own cooler with drinks and snacks (no alcoholic beverages or glass containers) or you can v... 05/23/2010

This past week in Wake Forest NC was filled with activities and events that, from what I can see, so many took advantage of!  The Calendar of Events for Wake Forest NC is just is packed this up-coming week with a really big one!   HOLDING PARK POOL WILL OPEN FOR THE SUMMER SEASON!!!!!! Along with the opening of the pool you can check all the other great events coming up this week like the continuing "6 Sundays in Spring" outdoor concert and the Wake Forest NC Farmers Market will be in full swing this upcoming weekend with not only it's incredible fresh produce offerings and homemade treat but they will also be distributing Red Crepe Paper Poppies to honor those who have served and died for our country!  Don't forget to stop and pick yours up! Have fun this week!!! Take Off Pounds Sensib... 05/22/2010

  My company, Coldwell Banke Advantage, has come up with a program that will help the buyers whenthey purchase selected Coldwell Banker Advantage homes. Call me for details. 919-931-0260 05/21/2010

2010 First Annual PetFest Historic Downtown Wake Forest NC May 22, 2010 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm This Pet Focused, family-friendly festival will be an absolute treat (no pun intended) for ALL! Starting in Historic Downtown Wake Forest on S. Main Street a Pet Parade will lead the attendees to the main event at Festival Park!  Once there you'll find a huge assortment of activities, booths, vendors and so much more!  Just a few to mention but by no means all inclusive are: Waggity Tail Bakery (Amazing Bakery for Pets) EcoPaws (Earth Friendly pet supplies) SNAP-NC (Neuter Assistance Program of NC) AKC - American Kennel Club - conducting CGC (Canine Good Citizen program) and will provide free certificates for your well behaved pooches! numerous other pet-related vendors giving away free samples, de... 05/20/2010

What is an Option Fee in North Carolina?  Part II of II Hopefully the first post, What Is An Option Fee in North Carolina?  Part I of II, you were able to gain a much better understanding of what an Option Fee is and see the benefits of choosing this alternative when make an offer on a property in North Carolina. In What Is An Option Fee in North Carolina?  Part II of II I will give you an easy checklist for inspections items that you can used to help your determine if you want to follow through with purchasing the home.  Remember, when you choose Alternative #2 on the "Offer To Purchase and Contract" a Buyer may terminate the contract for any reason or no reason. Under Alternative #1 you are limited to a home inspection which includes a Home Inspection of mechanicals, plumbing, roof co... 05/19/2010

$599,000.00 - Private Estate Home in Wakefield Estates!Location: Wakefield EstatesWakefield Estates - Beautiful stone front estate home on private and professionally landscaped 1.88 acres! Incredible views from every room in this home provide peace and tranquility.This fabulous floorplan offers tremendous living space with a formal dining room, formal living room, home office/study and a family room with impressive stone fireplace overlooking the lush back yard. Large kitchen has great counterspace and storage with a breakfast area that has beautiful views. Relaxing sunroom offers casual space to unwind after long days!Generous master bedroom has sitting area and luxurious master bath with whirlpool tub and quality custom design and features. Secondary bedrooms are large and have ample ... 05/18/2010

What Is An Option Fee in North Carolina?  Part I of II Currently in North Carolina buyers have a choice when they are making an offer on a home.  Alternative #1 or Alternative #2 on the "Offer To Purchase and Contract" form.  Alternative #2 was introduced to the "Offer To Purchase and Contract" form back in 2004 and has rarely been used.  I believe that is because there has been very little education as to how to properly utilize Alternative #2 therefore the benefits of Alternative #2 (Option Fee) have not been effectively communicated to buyers.Alternative #2 is used when an Option Fee is selected in Paragraph 4(c) on the "Offer To Purchase and Contract" form.  What is an Option Fee and how does it benefit a Buyer and a Seller?  An Option Fee is a negotiable amount of money that is pai... 05/17/2010

Come play this week in Wake Forest NC!  Check out the latest things to do and be sure to schedule a few into your busy week - it will SO be worth it!  The week-long Rex Hospital Open Golf Tournament is an event that offers just a bit of everything; golf, music, food, face painting, free breakfast, and so much more!  Later in the week you can enjoy the 2010 PetFest!  Bring your four-legged best friends out for a day all about them!  There will be a Pet Parade, free rabies clinic, pet contests, pet adoptions (I'll stay away from that one!) grooming and bathing booths and everything else in between for your pooch!  And, Don't forget!  The "6 Sundays in Spring" Concert series continues with "Amelia's Mechanics"..... Check out the latest calendar and I hope you see you at a few of the events... 05/16/2010

I don't know why, but I still find it amazing when Potential Buyers get mad at me for not dropping everything at a moments notice and meeting them at a vacant house.  Mind you, complete strangers!  By my nature, I am a friendly person, never met a stranger and can ALWAYS strike up a conversation. I love meeting new people and finding out what they are about, how they live their life, what they enjoy and what we have in common.  My career also dictates that I have this pre-determined outgoing nature - I mean, really?  How can one sell Real Estate if they don't like meeting new people.What may be one of my greatest assets could one day be my demise if I didn't adhere to my own personal "Code of Safety" and listen to my common sense.  There are simple rules that I self-administer and well,... 05/12/2010

Do You Know Who Your Realtor® Works For? If you missed Part I of II you can easily check out that blog post, Do You Know Who Your Realtor® Works For? Part I of II  In it I explained the two most common forms of Agency in North Carolina:  Buyers Agency and Sellers Agency.  Definitely worth a read!There are two additional types of Agency in North Carolina which can and often do leave many home buyers and home sellers scratching their heads in confusion.  Here they are with, hopefully, simple explanations to help you with the answer when you are asked, "Do You Know Who Your Realtor® Works For?"Dual Agency:  Dual Agency occurs most often when a broker has a buyer for one of his own listings.  With prior approval from the home seller the broker is permitted to represent BOTH the buyer and th... 05/11/2010

The Wake Forest NC Calendar of Events for May 10 - 16, 2010 is loaded with super exciting things to do and special events!  This coming Friday the Cotton Company in historic, downtown Wake Forest NC will host it's monthly Art After Hours!  This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time downtown and explore the many shops, restaurants and art galleries of Wake Forest NC.  In addition to Art After Hours the highly successful "6 Sundays in Spring" will be held at the E. Carroll Joyner Park Amphitheater - that is definitely a Do Not Miss event!Get out and explore all that Wake Forest NC has to offer - you'll be pleasantly surprised at all there is to do!  This week's calendar can be found at Discover Wake Forest NC!  In addition to the weekly events in Wake Forest NC you can find new li... 05/10/2010

$250,000.00 - Gorgeous Traditional in Quiet Wake Forest NC Neighborhood!Location: Richland HillsFfantastic Home for Sale in Wake Forest NC in quiet yet convenient neighborhood, Richland Hills! Community has Swimming Pool and Clubhouse which is wonderful for meeting neighbors and community fabric.This home has an AMAZING price for its size and the floorplan is exceptional! The huge kitchen has loads of counterspace, a work island AND a work station. Builtin microwave, self-cleaning oven, dishwasher, walk-in pantry and secondary closet. Solid surface counters are of a neutral color and balance the beautiful upgraded cabinetry. The kitchen overlooks a breakfast/dining area and into the Family Room which provides ease of entertaining or keeping an eye on the wee ones. The Family Room has a ... 05/09/2010

Do You Know Who Your Realtor® Works For? Might seem like a silly question but, in the state of North Carolina, we have several Agency Relationships!  There is a Seller's Agent, A Buyer's Agent, a Dual Agent and a Designated Agent.  Do you know the difference?  Perhaps it would be best to start with a definition of "Common Law of Agency" and fiduciary duties. When one person (seller or buyer) authorizes another person (agent) to work on their behalf the two are therefore bound together.  This is the crux of "Common Law of Agency" and sets forth the fiduciary duties that an agent owes his principal (seller or buyer).  The following 5 duties are what is owed to a Principal by their Agent: Loyalty and Obedience - (follow your lawful instructions and promote your best interests) Accounting -... 05/07/2010

As a Buyer are you considering a lease purchase?  A Lease Purchase may be a great way to get into that home of your dreams.  Typically, when you enter into a lease purchase you are leasing the home for a period of time and then PURCHASING the home at the end of the lease period.  A portion of your monthly payments are usually applied towards your downpayment of the home.  However, there are quite a few things that you should consider before considering or entering into a lease purchase. Currently, there are NO forms available to any Realtor® in the State of North Carolina to facilitate the Lease Purchase process.  It is not as simple as filling out a Rental Contract and an Offer To Purchase and stapling the two together.  Therefore, it is highly recommended that you, as the buyer, hire ... 05/06/2010

There is a great week of events in store for ALL ages in Wake Forest NC this week! Don't miss the continuing series of "6 Sundays in Spring" coming up on Mother's Day on May 9th! What a great way to spend Mother's Day - a picnic and an outdoor concert! Also this upcoming weekend is the popular Wake Forest Cemetery Walking Tour - it's a great way to learn about the history of Wake Forest NC. There are some more super neighborhood yard sales scheduled for the weekend as well as the fabulous outdoor Farmers Market in downtown Historic Wake Forest! Get these events penciled in on your calendars and HAVE FUN this week in Wake Forest NC! From the Town of Wake Forest NC website: Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) Club Meeting - Evening Tuesday, May 4; 6:30 pm weigh in and 6:45 pm meeting Wake For... 05/03/2010