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Wake Forest, NC Real Estate News

By Leesa Finley, RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
(RED Properties)
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 included in the term and are therefore exempt from tax during the holiday periodif the sales price of the item is $50 or less. This list is not all-inclusive.   Computers with a sales price of three ...
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
Drivers in Wake Forest be alert!  The railroad crossing on Ligon Mill Road will be closed today through Saturday 8/6/11.  Here's a screenshot of the email the Town of Wake Forest sent out about the closing.                                                         CSX is working on all the crossings in the Wake Forest area, and some have already been repaired this week.  Be aware that you may have to take a detour if you are driving around Wake Forest and plan on going across an at grade railroad crossing.
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By Leesa Finley, RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
(RED Properties)
Let's face it - the Real Estate market has taken a hit throughout the county.  The doom and gloom and bleak outlook is enough to make you cry in your cereal!  It is very tough right now for buyers and sellers in the Real Estate market to decipher what is accurate and which story to believe.  Well, I am here to tell you one thing for certain - Real Estate is local!  While the Real Estate market as a whole may be depressed at the moment you need to look individually at certain locales to understand the more precise condition of a particular market. Wake Forest NC, like the rest of the country, has seen its share of real estate values declining, an influx of short sales and foreclosures and tighter lender restrictions.  That's the bad news........here's the good news...... The Absorption R...
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
  Here's a lovely picture of some garage trim on a house in a really nice neighborhood in Wake Forest.  The house is only 10 years old, and since the house is probably worth about $500,000 or so, it's got to be good, right?  I mean, they construct houses that are that expensive differently than the $100,000 homes, right?    Wrong!   Look closely at the upper left corner on the top/horizontal board.  Do you see that "wavy" looking area?  You may not be able to from the photo, but trust me, it's there.  That, my friends, is wood rot behind a solid layer of paint!     Sometimes there is good paint that has held up, but the material behind hasn't held up.  I know, you're thinking I'm pulling your leg about this.  You say there's no way that paint can hold up without good wood behind it.  I...
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By Leesa Finley, RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
(RED Properties)
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 you have entered into a Buyers Market ...
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By Leesa Finley, RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
(RED Properties)
Wake Forest is located centrally in North Carolina in Wake County.  We are equidistant from both the great Appalachian Mountains and the Carolina Coast making day trips a breeze regardless of your chosen outdoor activities!  Located just north of Raleigh NC Wake Forest NC is also a prime location for commutes to Raleigh, RTP (research Triangle Park) and Durham.  Many of the residents of Wake Forest work at Cisco Systems, Duke Hospital, IBM and many of the other Technology Corporations.     Wake Forest, NC maintains a “small-town” charm while still providing residents with all of the everyday amenities and conveniences of day to day life.  We have an unparalleled Historic Preservation Committee that understands the balance between maintaining historic preservation yet allowing both home ...
Comments 12
By Leesa Finley, RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
(RED Properties)
Tomorrow night, August 2, 2011, Wake Forest NC will be recognizing National Night Out with a Parking Lot Party at the Super Target from 5:00pm - 9:00pm.   Target is the National Sponsor for National Night Out which is a nationwide program geared towards promoting Neighborhood Spirit and Police-Community Patnerships in a fight for a safer nation.  National Night Out is designed to: Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. This year celebrates 28 years since the inception of National Night Out and communities throughout the nation are celebrating in ...
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
So we missed late June and early July as originally projected by the NCDOT.  But the good news is according to the Town of Wake Forest's website the bridges and road section at Jones Dairy Road in Wake Forest is scheduled to open TODAY after 1pm.     Great news for all you local drivers that have been taking the long way around!     And now the bridges should be nice and wide to accomodate for some future growth in traffic on this road as well.  So no more worrying about two cars being on the bridge at the same time!     So get out there and visit your friends on Jones Dairy Road again.  They've missed you!              
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By Lee & Pamela St. Peter, Making Connections to Success in Real Estate
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522)
  Wake Forest NC Homes Market Report - June 2011     Calling Volunteers!  It's beautiful outside and to preserve the trails that allow us to enjoy the beauty of Wake Forest, NC's natural areas (while leaving our compasses at home, and not romping through the forests aimlessly), the Town of Wake Forest's Adopt-a-Trail Program is looking for those interested in playing an active role in the beautification and preservation of the greenway trails everyone enjoys.  For more information or to volunteer, visit the Town of Wake Forest's website.   If you're considering moving to Wake Forest, NC or even if you're planning on selling a home in Wake Forest, NC, it's important to have the right information.       Our real estate market report will give you a good overview of how detached homes for ...
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
I hope all of you enjoyed today and were able to celebrate Independence Day with family & friends.  And those of you in Canada, I hope you had a good Canada Day a few days back! I got to walk in the local Children's Parade here in Wake Forest, and it was fun!  Kinda like a traffic jam of people in the street, all going different speeds.  Some were on bikes, some on scooters (both electric and non), some pushing strollers, and some just walking.  But it was fun!   In case you missed the parade, and would like to be part of it next year, it's always on July 4th and traditionally starts on North Main St.  It has been starting around 10:30am, with line up beginning at 10am.  You can find more about that and other 4th of July/Independence Day activities at the Town of Wake Forest website   A...
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
Many of you may have heard rumors that I'm sort of a naturalist type. Yes, it's true. I love nature. Guilty as charged. Cuff me and take me away... As such, my backyard is set up in a manner that is most conducive to watching nature.   And as such, God has given me a great backyard to see nature. And I even have spotters trained to assist (wife & kids). They can tell you if that bird on the feeder is a Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, or a White Breasted Nuthatch. Or if it's not. As long as they don't get distracted...SQUIRREL!         We had some day lilies growing...       There was a large sphinx moth at those same lilies one evening. I was very lucky to be out there at the same time, and had my Droid on me at the time.   Trust me, it's much cooler in person than on the screen. T...
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
This just makes me want to cry.  I met him last year, and he has always been one of my basketball heroes.He was so humble and gentle when I met him, and I think that's how he lived his life. Goodbye Lorenzo, we will miss you.  Our prayers are with your family. Lorenzo Charles killed in bus wreck    
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
Obviously in our economy everyone sees gas prices going up.  But is that all the price of oil affects?  Of course not! Almost our whole world seems to be made of plastic, and thus ultimately oil.  Many of today's building materials are made from oil products, specifically PVC products that are commonly used for replacement trim.  It is becoming a more and more common material in building and remodeling, especially in areas that are suseptable to water damage, such as window & door trim. And since the price of crude oil recently hit record highs, the price of PVC products went up with it!  I recently found out that a small item went from $21 to $30 in less than 2 months, so it go me wondering.  I did some price checking. I called my supplier earlier this week, and found out that a standa...
Comments 14
By Lee & Pamela St. Peter, Making Connections to Success in Real Estate
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522)
Wake Forest NC Homes Market Report - May 2011 Wake Forest, NC has opened nominations for the GOOD NEIGHBOR OF THE YEAR award!!  The Wake Forest 6th annual Good Neighbor Day is coming up and the Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) is looking for your favorite neighbor who works to benefit the quality of life in the neighborhood without looking for recognition in return.  Do you have someone in mind? ...Must be a Wake Forest resident of course.  Check out Wake Forest's Good Neighbor Day for more info.   If you're considering moving to Wake Forest, NC or even if you're planning on selling a home in Wake Forest, NC, it's important to have the right information. Our market report will give you a good overview of how detached homes for sale in Wake Forest, NC performed during the month...
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
If you're in the Triangle area and are wondering where all that smoke/haze is from, it's not your neighbor's burn pile.  Or a local dump.  Or anything local! In fact, it's quite a ways away!  According to some local sources, there are at least 3 different fires that may be contributing to the local smoky air:  one in Pender County, one in Dare County, and another controlled burn at Fort Bragg. You can read a lot about the fire that's been burning in Dare County at the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge at their Facebook Page.  That fire has been burning since May 5th!  It's contained about 95%, but still burning like crazy. And WRAL of course has great coverage on the local smoke filled air as well. So, stay inside and breathe well!  Or just know that it's a like a great big campfire ou...
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
Jones Dairy Road to Re-open late June/early July   Our local Wake Forest residents, especially those living on Jones Dairy Road, will be happy to hear the news.  Your long wait is almost over! According to the Town of Wake Forest, Jones Dairy Road is expected to open in the next month.  That could mean that you can drive across 2 brand new bridges and not have to take a detour to just get home or visit friends! Happy driving, Jones Dairy folks!                    
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By Jeremy Wrenn, VP of Finance, Winslow Homes
(Winslow Homes)
How Should I Nail Lap Siding (HardiePlank siding)? This is a common question that I hear a LOT.  A LOT.  And it's still debated among siding professional to some degree.  Mostly that debate centers around maintenance, and the expectations of what the homeowner will and won't do.     JamesHardie recommends that the siding be nailed at the TOP, or blind nailed as it's commonly referred to.  You can't see the nails on the siding once it is installed in this method, and thus where the term "blind" nailing comes from.   Visible nail heads in HardiePlank siding is not the preferred method of installation (currently), but it was a very common practice a few years back in my local area. And you will (or should!) have visible nail heads at the bottom of every butt joint in the siding, as the joi...
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By Leesa Finley, RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
(RED Properties)
If you are looking for a great way to spend Saturday mornings then you may want to head to Historic, downtown Wake Forest NC and visit the Wake Forest NC Farmers Market.  The fresh from the farm and healthy items to be found are: pasture-raised beef poultry pork free range eggs fresh and dried herbs honey, jams and preserves fresh cut flowers baked goods There are always local farmers on hand as well as cheesemakers, soapmakers, crafters and artisits selling their crafts and goods.  The Wake Forest Farmers Market is always the perfect place on Saturday morning to socialize and meet your neighbors as well as support your local economy! You can find the Wake Forest Farmers Market at 110 S. White Street, Wake Forest NC. Saturdays 8:00am - Noon  
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By Leesa Finley, RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
(RED Properties)
Buying a new home can be a daunting task and there is much to take into consderation.  I have a wonderful friend who is a free lance writer that shares some tips to guide home buyers through the process of searching for a builder, lot, etc.  Mind you, these tips aren't from a book or a prewritten checklist - these are her personal observations and tips gained from experience.  Pretty cool, Michelle, pretty cool! If you are thinking about building a new home in Wake Forest NC I would welcome the opportunity to acquaint you with some of the local builders, different areas with homesites available, and optional community amenities.  I can assist you from start to finish!   Every person has an idea of what a "perfect" home is, but trying to communicate that vision is sometimes difficult. Th...
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By Leesa Finley, RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
(RED Properties)
It is no surprise that Foreclosures made up a huge portion of the inventory of homes for sale in Wake Forest NC last year.  They also accounted for quite of few of the resales in 2010.  The other evening when I was walking my dogs through one of the most popular neighborhoods in Wake Forest, Heritage, and I passed a few homes that I knew were Foreclosures.  It got me to thinking.......while I may know that the homes are foreclosures since I stay on top of the real estate market in Wake Forest NC that others may not.  On the exterior the homes look like any other home on the street.  They have a manicured lawn, a beautiful front porch, maybe a fenced back yard and all the characteristics that you would expect from a home.  Many buyers that I work with started their search by EXCLUDING fo...
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