Purchasing a historic home is an exciting opportunity to preserve history, restore charm and character to an older home, extend a legacy and experience history all in one.  If you are anything like me you have a deep-rooted love for historic homes.  I am in awe of the artchitecture and the craftsmanship of these romantic, antiquated homes and the vibes that run through the veins of the homes when I place my hand on a railing or bannister are overwhelming.  For me, it is an experience that I seek out as often as possible.  While the dreamy visions of restoring an old treasure may intrigue you - you must first evaluate the consequences (and the benefits) of underatking such a, at times, Herculean effort. First and foremost we must define what a historic home is.  A historic property by No... 06/08/2008

Wow - what fun this week!!!  The Factory will have an outdoor summer movie on June 13th - yep, that'a a Friday - I just didn't want to say it! FEATURED MOVIE The Sandlot! The movie doesn't start until 8:30pm but the gates at the ballfield will open at 4:00pm.  There will be pre-movie entertainment and the concession stands will be open - there will be a HUGE turnout.  Please bring your lawn chairs and get ready for this great evening under the stars......sorry, folks, no blankets are allowed. This event has been sponsered by Chiropractic Partners - what a way to give..... What a fantastic way to start your summer in My Back Yard....   06/08/2008

This week in Wake Forest has some great events in the line up.  I have noticed that there are one or two that are missing - no worries - i will be sure to post them in time for you to make plans!  Get out this week and enjoy all that Wake Forest has to offer: From the Town of Wake Forest website: Families After Five - featuring The EmbersThursday, June 12; 5:00 p.m.The Factory Take a HikeFriday, June 13; 2:00 p.m.Bolin Creek Trail and Battle Branch Trail, Chapel Hill, NCThe Wake Forest Greenways Advisory Board is inviting all interested residents to come along on Friday, June 13, at 2 p.m., for "Take a Hike" in June. These monthly walking tours are designed to encourage local residents to experience and enjoy the area's greenway trails and open spaces. For more information, contact Jan ... 06/08/2008

This morning was full of previewing homes for some clients I have coming in next week.  I am a firm believer in previewing homes BEFORE you actually take your clients through.  Why don't more agents do that I wonder? Anyhow, all of the homes were similar in size, price, private back yards and in close proximity to each other.  All of the homes would fit my clients needs nicely.  What surprised me with each of the homes was that they had another similarity.  They were all a "little" dirty.  Now, let me explain a "little" dirty.  It was obvious in each of the homes that they were family homes.  Adults with children.  From peeking in closets, pantries and bathrooms I can see that they left in haste in the morning but had all done their best to put things in their proper place.  I am sure t... 06/07/2008

I have spent many an hours hopefully enlightening you with all that Wake Forest has to offer!  I hope - have I done my job?  I have delved into the historic background of this quaint town, described and photographed the downtown historic district and I have shared with you the vision that the Town Planners have to keep this train on track in maintaining our historic heritage and preserving our small town feel....NOW WHAT?  Well, I am certainly NOT done showing you all that we have to offer by way of attractions or events or my little "inside info" tidbits BUT I did want to share with you some of the absolute gems that are available. These single family homes are all located within Wake Forest and are currently on the market: 314 Main Street - Outstanding home Circa 1925...  Completely r... 06/04/2008

Just a reminder..... Families after 5 is in full swing at The Factory!  Meet up with your friends and family near the fountain for some phenomenal live jazz this Thursday (June 5th) - Taking the stage this week will be The Will McBride Group!  A little from their bio.... "The Will McBride Group is a guitar-based jazz trio that presents a truly unique blend of jazz, edgy funk/pop and Latin stylings, full of rich color-chording, impressive melodic solo and vocal work, all supported with superb rhythmic backing. Think Steely Dan meets Antonio Carlos Jobim meets Wes Montgomery!" Familes After 5 will continue through June 26th and is a welcomed favorite in the Wake Forest area!  Take your time, do a little shopping or grab a bite to eat at The Factory then grab your spot on the lawn from 5:3... 06/04/2008

What a great way to cool off, splash around and spend the afternoon! Holding Park Community Pool With the weekend winding down and the temperatures reaching 90 degrees we decided to venture out for a little cool spot and the Holding Park Community Pool fit the bill perfectly! 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 visit the concession stand there for a snowcone or quick grab and go ... 06/02/2008

By show of hands.....When was the last time that YOU went to the drive-in movies?????  Stick 'em WWAAYYY up - I'm counting! Well, in My Back Yard...you can do just that!  The Finley family had a fantastic outing Friday night that was so worth telling you about - just a short drive from Wake Forest to Henderson (30 mins) was a fun-filled, family adventure that my son (and husband) just adored... The Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre is alive and well!  A fully operational drive in movie theatre with the latest releases, great concession stand and an evening under the stars full of fun! I wanted to surprise my husband and son with something different - they had no idea what was in store.  We headed out US 1 and my husband thought for sure we were going to Virginia to a lake that we keep thinki... 06/01/2008

Wow - Concert in The Park was really packed this afternoon at Holding Park - great band and every one was really enjoying themselves!  Hope you had the opportunity last week to enjoy some of what Wake Forest had to offer - if not, don't miss this upcoming week..... From the Town of Wake Forest website: Northeast Neighborhood Community Plan Year in ReviewMonday, June, 2; 7:00 p.m.Alston-Massenburg CenterOn June 2, 2008 at 7 p.m., the East End Community Association is hosting a One Year Review of the Northeast Neighborhood Plan at the Alston-Massenburg Community Center. The meeting will focus on the progress of the Town of Wake Forest in implementing the recommended actions. Representatives of the Town will update citizens about issues the Town has successfully addressed as well as items ... 06/01/2008

There is nothing like absence to make the heart grow fonder and for us when our team members are gone we really get a better understanding of what they do.   I'm so   thankful for my guys, several of them were out of town at the same time at the end of the month.   Boy was it hard for me to smile.   But I smile when I think of all they do, and do MUCH better than me.     Thanks Team     We really work well together!   Anyone else want to share about their team?   Thanks,     Jim 05/31/2008

This home takes your breath away.         MLS #: 16010292800 Steeple RunWake Forest, NC 27587Price $: 229,500Neighborhood: Established Homes and Communities   Over 1/2 Acre with pond access and view Spacious 4 bedroom with 2 and a half baths Extensive laminate wood flooring Located in the heart of Wake Forest Includes 1 year home warranty         Feel free to visit us on line at:   www.jimfischetti.com   Or call 919.554.9802 to find out more.   On behalf of everyone at The Fischetti Group, thank you.   Thanks,     Jim Fischetti 05/31/2008

Gas is now over $4.00 a gallon, and the Raleigh SPCA just announced it's at capacity because people can no longer afford to pay for their pets.  It's a sad time. And it's no longer something that's just happening in California... or Ohio... or Florida.  It's hitting home here in the Triangle where families were already walking a fine line living on credit cards to go on vacation.  The little bit of money Dubbya sent - barely made a dent for some folks. If you are one of those people who had an adjustable rate mortgage, you're also trying to balance the extra mortgage payment, along with the rising costs of groceries and gas.  There are a couple of things you need to consider as you redo your family budget to accomodate for all of these "little extras" that just keep adding up.  First of... 05/28/2008

Active Listings: *April Statistics run through May 15, 2008 There were 1410 active listings for the month of April 2008* which includes townhomes and condos. In comparison, there were 1028 actives listing for the month of April 2007 (which were computed through May 15, 2007). An increase of 37% is noted. Closed Listings: Total closings since January 2008 through May 15, 2008 for Wake Forest is 507.  Of those closings 16% had a price point of $400,000 or higher. The supply of homes in Wake Forest has dipped again to a 11 month supply.  Wake Forest currently has the HIGHEST absorption rate in Wake County. Average days on market for Wake Forest was 115. Additional Statistics: The top 2 subdivisions for closings in all of Wake County were located in NoRa and Wake Forest. They are Heritage (... 05/27/2008

The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last Tuesday to ban new permits for residential irrigation systems in an effort to be more proactive with water conservation.  This ban will apply to all manual and automatic irrigation systems that are proposed to be connected to The City of Raleigh water system (public potable water system).  Remember, the City of Raleigh is where Wake Forest gets it's water.  In addition to Wake Forest, the towns and municipalities of Rolesville, Wendell, Knightdale, Gardner and Zebulon also get their water from The City of Raleigh - those towns and municipalities are not a part of the ban.  The ban is effective immediately.  Those that receive their water from other sources such as wells are not effected.  Should the City of Raleigh ever devis... 05/27/2008

The weather was outstanding this last week which afforded great opportunity to get out and enjoy all that Wake Forest had to offer last week!  There were some great concerts and events and the upcoming week is just as exciting!  Oh, and don't forget - the HOLDING PARK POOL IS OPEN!  Get out and enjoy! From the Town of Wake Forest website: Truck FairWednesday, May 28; 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Heritage Middle School and Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle SchoolThis year Heritage Middle School and Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School will be hosting a joint Truck Fair. Truck Fairs highlight careers that utilize trucks and other transportation methods. By allowing students in the 6th grade to see  vehicles up close  and speak to those who use them everyday they will gain a greater appreciation of ca... 05/25/2008

What a fantastic place to spend a few hours one Saturday!  The Finley family did just that last weekend.  Vollmer Farm is located in Bunn, NC which is just a short drive from the Wake Forest area.  Originally, the farm was a tobacco farm and then in the 80's Farmer John converted his family's fifth-generation tobacco farm into strawberries, pumpkins and organics!  Today there are fields upon fields of conventional strawberries and organic strawberries from April to July!  Strawberries were just perfect for picking this past weekend and I am sure that this weekend will be just as good.  All you have to do is either walk to the field or hop a hay ride to the field of your choice whether conventional or organic.  One there, just grab a 5 lb. bucket and start picking!  While the bucket may ... 05/22/2008

Are you thinking about buying a new home in Heritage Wake Forest?  This is a great time to do so because the the neighborhood is really starting to develop nicely.  New home construction will continue for several more years and the neighborhood has reached critical mass for lots of new amenities to be added. One such amenity is the addition of a recreational facility with a pond, walking trails, dock areas, playgrounds, and a picnic area.  Check out the link below to an article I wrote over at RaleighRealEstateTalk.com Heritage Wake Forest New Park Under Construction 05/20/2008

  EAT, SHOP, PLAY......That's the motto at The Factory! While there are numerous opportunities to do just that - this week kicks off their wildly popular summer series "Familes After 5".  Thursday, May 22nd from 5:30 - 8:30 pm kicks off the season with "The Wake Forest Singers" and "Dan The Happy Magic Man".  Music is outdoors at the fountain (weather permitting) and, I am sure, will be packed.  Concerts are FREE and always a great way to get out and mingle with your neighbors, meet some new friends and let the kids have a fun time!  Should there be rain on concert day the concert is simply moved inside The Factory! In conjunction with this first concert in the series is a Silent Auction.  All proceeds will benefit Meena Bali and her family. Meena is a local 2-year-old girl diagnosed w... 05/18/2008

Last week in Wake Forest was great with the Mother's Day Six Sunday's in Spring and so many other events in historic downtown Wake Forest like the 2008 Hopps for Wake Forest and so much more!  This week is no doubt even bigger - take a peek!   From the Town of Wake Forest website: Girls' Night OutMonday, May 19; 6:30 p.m.Blue Fin's Bistro, Rogers RoadThis event is a fundraiser for NathanCan Foundation, Inc. - supporting brain cancer research and providing support for families with chronically ill patients. Tickets cost $30 per person and include appetizers, dessert, salad, and drink specials. Please purchase tickets in advance at Blue Fin's Bistro, Coffee Cargo, or Triangle Dry Cleaners (Rogers Road location). For more information, visit www.nathancan.org. Computers and You Presentation... 05/18/2008

May 16th - Friday night - The Wake Forest Coffee Company in downtown historic Wake Forest is proud to present: DOUG ROSS Starting at 7:30 you can enjoy the acousitic harmonies of Doug Ross as he plays James Taylor, Bob Dylan and many more of your favorites! Grab a latte, a slice of heavenly Triple Chocolate Cheesecake (no calories, I promise!) and just RELAX! Within the short amount of time that The Wake Forest Coffee Company has been open they have certainly forged a niche for downtown entertainment, great coffee and good times! A little mellow and relaxing on a Friday night in My Back Yard....   05/15/2008