Life In Wake Forest NC.....

Simply Adorable Home - Convenient to Shopping - Minutes to I-85 - Quiet Subdivision

3 bedrooms - 2.5 baths / 2 car garage / cathedral ceilings in family room / gas logs fireplace in family room / extra large kitchen with two pantries / separate dining room / ample master bedroom with bath / culdesac lot

Home qualifies for USDA Loan Program - email for details!

 

 

There is STILL time to take advantage of the Freddie Mac HomeSteps Program! 

For all offers presented on a qualifying Freddie Mac HomeSteps home that are accepted and are scheduled to close prior to March 14th, 2009, Freddie Mac will pay up to 3.5% of your closing costs!  You can check out more details about the program here. 

Limited Time Offer  

Now, no matter where you live in the United States, owning your own home may be more affordable than you think!  If you are currently renting or wanting to move up, HomeSteps would like to help you on your way to homeownership.  HomeSteps will pay up to 3.5%* of your purchase price in closing costs for all offers presented on HomeSteps homes between October 23, 2008 - January 31, 2009.
To qualify for this great money-saving offer, just call me or email me to show you the available HomeSteps homes in your area and to include this closing cost offer at the time of your initial offer on a HomeSteps home.  Then, upon qualified closing, you will receive your Ask an Agent buyer offer.
Saving up to 3.5%* at closing adds up! Just think, you could use your closing cost savings to purchase new carpet, new furniture - you name it!    *As an example of your savings, if the purchase price of your home is $150,000, HomeSteps will pay up to $5,250 of your closing costs. This savings is money that you can use for moving expenses or new furnishings. (Please note HomeSteps will only pay up to 3.5% of your purchase price in closing costs, not to exceed the total closing costs. For instance, if your purchase price is $125,000, and your closing costs are $4,250, HomeSteps will only pay $4,250, an amount equal to 3.4% of your purchase price.)

This offer only lasts until January 31, 2009!

Contact me today at Circa Properties for more information regarding a variety of homes available! 

There are some great homes that qualify and here are just a few that are located in Wake Forest, NC:

655 Tyler Run Road - 1200 square feet - 3 bedroom/2 bath - $149,350

113 Ventura Woods Court - 1642 square feet - 3 bedroom/2.5 bath - $150,000

3405 Greenville Loop Road - 2065 square feet - 3 bedroom/2.5 bath - $167,500

8100 Stony Grove Lane - 2900 square feet - 3 bedroom/3bath - $249,900

1416 Loghouse Street - 2840 square feet - 5 bedroom/2.5 bath - $294,500

These homes are beautiful and in wonderful neighborhoods just waiting for a new owner!  For more information please just send me an email - I'd be happy to assist you with the program!

 

 

 

 

 

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Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2008.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

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Whew - it has been a week full of festive gatherings with friends and family!  I sincerely hope that you had a beautiful holiday and aren't spending too much time cleaning up.  I am not sure when my house will be back in order!

This week in Wake Forest, NC is the pinnacle of the year!  Our Inagrural First Light Wake Forest is set to happen on New Year's Eve.  The party is ONLY starting then!  We will continue to celebrate our First 100 Years throughout 2009!

From the Town of Wake Forest website:

First Light Wake Forest
Wednesday, Dec. 31; 5:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Downtown Wake Forest
On December 31, 2008 Wake Forest will kick of its 2009 Centennial Celebration and ring in the New Year with the first-ever First Light Wake Forest. A non-alcoholic celebration, First Light Wake Forest is sure to attract families, seniors, singles and anyone who is looking for an inexpensive, fun way to ring in the New Year. The Voltage Brothers will headline this inaugural event and are scheduled to take the stage at 9:30 p.m. Wake Forest's very own Will McBride and The Will McBride Group will officially get the party started beginning at 6:15 p.m. Activities for the children include roaming "Flow Circus" performers, inflatable play areas, and a six-foot climbing wall. There will also be an early countdown at 8:30 pm designed just for the kids. Karaoke, contests, caricature artists, and great cuisine will be among the many other aspects your family is sure to enjoy. The event will be held along South White Street and several downtown businesses will be open. For more information, contact Brian Pate at (919) 562-7935 or visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/2009centennial_firstlight.aspx.

 Celebrations abound this week in My Back Yard....

 

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Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2008.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

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Each region of the country seems to have a traditional dish that is served on New Years Day.  When I lived in the North it was always Pork and Sauerkraut.  IF you like sauerkraut (which I do!) the house smelled incredible!  Probably not a prime time to be showing your home for days to come!  HAHA  From what I understand it was Pennsylvania-Dutch.  Also, heavy German influence.  Anyhow, it HAD to be eaten on New Year's Day to bring luck and good fortune for the New Year.

I remember that we always had mashed potatoes with it, too.  I kind of miss that but Jon and Liam can't stand sauerkraut so I usually just grab it at a restaurant when I can.

Here in the South I had to get used to new traditions.  The Finley family has Black-Eyed Peas cooked with a ham hock and Collard Greens for New Year's Day.  It took a little getting used to for me and I, of course, had to learn how to cook it but, I must say, not too bad!  From what I understand the collards represent money and the black eyed peas are a symbol of abundance.  This is totally a Southern tradition!

I was curious - what are some of the traditions in other parts of the country such as the Mid-West?  The North West? 

Regardless of your tradition, I wish you peace, love and prosperity in the year to come!

~Ciao

Oh my, the transformations are starting in Historic Downtown Wake Forest and all through the town for the Party of the Century!  Our Centenniel Celebration is going to be unrivaled and will last all througout 2009!

This week in Wake Forest, NC is the calm before the storm!  Enjoy this week with your family and friends - I'll see YOU on New Year's Eve!

From the Town of Wake Forest website:

Storytelling & Afternoon Tea with Mara Purl
Friday, Dec. 26; 3 pm
The Story Teller's Book Store, 100 E. Roosevelt Avenue
Extend the Christmas holiday with Christmas storytelling and afternoon tea with award-winning author of the Miltford-Haven novels. Mara Purl will read a delightful short story from her book, Christmas Angels. In addition, she will host a short discussion on Women's fiction- what is it, how it is relevant, and how it is different from Men's fiction. Tea and cookies are included! For more information, call (919) 554-9146, visit www.storystorewf.com or email storystore@nc.rr.com.

No one throws a party like what you'll find in My Back Yard....

NORAD has received confirmation that the special navigation panel aboard Santa's sleigh is functioning as planned. The elf staff provided no further comment or details.

In case you have never heard of the Norad Santa Tracker I wanted to share this brilliant website with you!  We have tracked Santa for the last 4 years and are looking forward to an even more exciting Christmas Eve this year!

We, the Finley's, have tracked Santa using the Norad Santa Tracker for years!  NORAD has been tracking Santa though for over 50 years!  It started quite by accident - in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born. To listen to Colonel Shoup talk about the experience, click here.

NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets.

Tracking Santa starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system consists of 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. On Christmas Eve, NORAD monitors the radar continuously for indications that Santa Claus has left the North Pole.

When you visit the NORAD Santa Tracker site you will see that there is so much to do there!  You can learn what the favorite snack is for reindeer, visit the North Pole to see what preparations are under way and get some great Santa FAQs!

The last year we tracked Santa we were in Titusville, Florida.  We had to send a letter to Santa to let him know that we wouldn't be home in Wake Forest, NC.  On Christmas Eve we placed reindeer food all around the house and then tracked Santa with the NORAD Santa Tracker!  It was so cool!  We got to see Santa fly over the Kennedy Space Center!  

I hope that you get to visit the NORAD Santa Tracker this year and enjoy as much as we do....

The latest report was just released from Triangle Multiple Listing Service.  There are some notable quotes from the report which should assist in explaining the current condition of our local market.  One quote that I wanted to mention at the beginning of this post is:

Where is the pain going to be felt in the coming months?

 

Not to pick on the $400,000 and up price point, but the supply numbers will force pain upon sellers. A search of new home listings within this segment reveals some eye opening numbers. Approximately 38% of new home listings within this segment have seen a drop in list price, with the average drop being 7%. The average days on market for these listings has been 230 days. The combination of falling list prices and increasing days on market spell trouble for under capitalized home builders.**

First up there is my comparison with Active Listings for year to year.

For the 6th consecutive month Wake Forest has retained an absorption rate lower than the national average at 6.  For information on what the Absorption Rate means to you, whether buying or selling a homes, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email - I will be happy to assist you.

Wake Forest, NC maintains a healthy portion of sales within Wake County - it is noteworthy that the subdivision with the highest number of sales is Heritage which is located in Wake Forest.  For information on Heritage please feel free to contact me.

If you need assistance with any of these statistics or would like information for a more specific area of the Triangle please call me or email and I will be happy to compile those statistics for you. 

 

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Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2008.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

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Okay, I have to admit it - I lost track of last week - it became a complete blur with all of the events here in Wake Forest, the social parties, shopping, wrapping, decorating and COOKING!  I think I gained 10 pounds JUST YESTERDAY!  Pitiful!

The week ahead in Wake Forest, NC is a little quiet.  Why?  Oh my, they are gearing up for what is certain to go down in History as the Party of The Century!  Literally!  If you have been following along you can catch up with some of my other posts here:

Centennial Celebration - Wake Forest Prepares For The Next 100!

Connections....100 Years of Wake Forest History!

New Year's Eve? Already? Wake Forest Is Looking For Volunteers!

This New Year's Eve in Wake Forest, NC is going to be spectacular!  More details following this week with more posts!  In the meantime:

From the Town of Wake Forest website:

Firing Range Training
Monday, December 15; 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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 on Monday, December 15 from 4 pm until 7 pm at the police department firing range, located behind the Flaherty Park Community Center. The firing range is utilized by Wake Forest Police officers who require instruction and practice in order to obtain current certification in the use of firearms. This certification is required in order for the officer to fulfill his duties for the Wake Forest Police Department. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/police_firingrange.aspx.

Getting ready for the Party of The Century in My Back Yard....

 

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Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2008.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

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I know that each of us has a charity and/or cause that is near and dear to our hearts.  I have several but one that I am extremely passionate about is Make It Right 9.  Since it's inception I have been there.  I have watched the people reach out, the homes being built and the lives being restored.  I have blogged about it before and in case you have missed the posts - here they are again.

 

Make It Right 9 - They Need Us!

So, What DOES Raleigh and Brad Pitt Have in Common???

Today I received a "Thank You" email that really touched my heart.  It was an update on the projects, a recap of the progress and a reinstatement of the vision.  I wanted to share that email with you:

Make It Right Welcomes Residents Back Home for the Holidays

Dear Make It Right Community, This holiday season we are celebrating the return of families into new Make It Right homes in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. In honor of those families and the many supporters who helped us reach this milestone, we want to say thank you on behalf of the Make It Right community. You have helped make this a very special holiday season for families who lost so much during Hurricane Katrina.

For former residents of the Lower 9th Ward still trying to return home, this is why Make It Right exists.  More than three years after Hurricane Katrina, many residents of this community are still displaced and struggling to rebuild their lives. We started the Make It Right Foundation to provide a hand up to those families who desire to return home and to help preserve the unique culture, heritage and spirit of the Lower 9th Ward. With your generous support, we can continue to rebuild a neighborhood of safe, sustainable, and affordable homes in one of the hardest hit communities in Louisiana.          Thank You and Happy Holidays, Tom Darden Executive Director Please consider Make It Right in your "End of Year" giving plans. DONATE NOW

I wanted to take a few minutes of your time to ask that you please visit the Make It Right 9 website and see for yourself the passion, determination and committment that this foundation epitomizes.  Even as the years pass my heart breaks everytime I receive an update email, wear my Make It Right 9 t-shirt and visit the website.  While time normally heals all wounds this is one wound that has gone much deeper and will resonate for years if not decades beyond.

Thanks so much for visiting and should you feel so inclined I know that Make It Right 9 would be grateful for any donation, whether monetary or time, that you could extend.  This isn't about me, this isn't about my company, this is about taking care of those that need us - STILL!  Don't let it fade from your memory!