Life In Wake Forest NC.....

The 11th Annual HerbFest is scheduled to start this year on April 16th and is will offer amazing selections through April 25th from 9am - 4pm at Festival Park.

If you have never been to HerbFest then first of all, where ya been?  And, secondly, you are in for an exceptional treat! HerbFest offers the best quality and selection of herb plants for your garden in the entire Southeast!  Yes, the event is THAT big and well-known!  There is everything from your pedestrian Basil to exotic hybrids such as Pineapple Basil, Purple Basil and Cinnamon Basil just to give you an example.  To even try and name all of the Herbs that will be available would be futile!  There are also experts available to assist you with advice in planting your herbs, growing your herbs and cultivation.

In addition to herb plants you can find a variety of fruits and vegetables such as heirloom tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, and other fruits and vegetables.  You be pleased to find a wide array of herb crafts, organics soaps and so much more!

HerbFest just would be Herbfest without great live entertainment, educational seminars and recipes galore!

                        

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Wake Forest NC House Chick - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!

 

 

 

 

The latest Wake Forest NC Foreclosures Report is now available for download on my website Wake Forest NC House Chick.  There have been quite a few price adjustments this week making the homes on this Foreclosures Report outstanding deals! 

In addition to price adjustments a few new additions have made an appearance on the list.  One in particular that stands out is a luxury home in Hasentree.  This gorgeous home was just built in 2009 and has never been lived in!  French Country styled with over 5000 square feet, 3 car garage and culdesac lot!  Simply breathtaking!  It makes it market debut on the Wake Forest NC Foreclosures Report at only $1,000,000.  If you are familiar with Hasentree you KNOW this is an incredible price!

The Wake Forest NC Foreclosures Report also has townhomes available as well as some great homes under $200,000.00.  Please feel free to download this FREE report and, as always, should you have any questions please feel free to call me at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email!  I'd be glad to send you more information for any of the homes on the report OR prepare a custom Foreclosure search for you if you are searching in another area.

                        

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Wake Forest NC House Chick - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!

 

 

 

 

Wake Forest NC is one of the nine most high growth areas in the country according to Gadberry Groups "9 from 2009"! 

Wake Forest NC earned the #6 spot on the list due to it's explosive growth from 2000 - 2009!  Overall Wake Forest grew 118% or increased households from 8150 in 2000 to 17,803 in 2009 - that's exciting!  Why are so many now calling Wake Forest NC home?  Many reasons!

Location:

• Wake Forest has easy access to downtown Raleigh NC via Capital Blvd or us 401.  This close proximity allows many of Raleigh work force to escape the city and enjoy a quieter lifestyle in their personal time.
• Durham NC and RTP (Research Triangle Park) is also a relatively minor commute under 30 minutes.  Many residents of Wake Forest NC work in RTP and Durham.
• Our International Airport, Raleigh Durham International, is only a short 25 minute drive.
• Wake Forest NC is located almost equidistant from both the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean making a day trip easy in either direction!

Quality of Life:

• Tree-lined streets with very affordable housing.
• A generous supply (given the total size of Wake Forest) of Parks and Greenways offering everything from tennis, baseball, soccer fields, playgrounds, community swimming pool and basketball. 
  
• Our Greenways stretch for miles offering peaceful walks and bike trails.
• Several Greenways border Falls Lake making for spectacular view and recreational opportunities.
• Numerous Area Shopping Centers with all the necessities and amenities one needs.
• Historic Downtown
• Vibrant Art Scene
• Garden and Historic Tours
• Easy access to three major museums of art, natural sciences and history.

Education:

• Wake Forest Public Schools are in the acclaimed Wake County Public School System which is ranked the #1 school district in the country for certified teachers and we have standard proficiency scores which exceed the national averages.
• SAT scores also surpass the state and national averages
• Close proximity to some of the most well-known, worldclass higher education schools such as Duke University, North Carolina State University and The University of North Carolina.
• Southeastern Baptist Seminary is located right in Wake Forest NC

Healthcare:

• The ratio of physician to doctor is 5 times higher in Wake Forest NC than the national average.
• Three major teaching hospitals are located nearby.

In addition to Gadberry's "2 of 2009" Wake Forest NC was ranked 20th as a "fastest growing community by Forbes in 2007 and in 2008 Forbes ranked ALL of the Triangle area as one of the "Top Five" Recession-Proof economies!

With all of that there is certainly reason to explore all that Wake Forest NC has to offer!  I would love to show you MY Wake Forest NC - just give me a call or simply send me an email!  It is THAT simple!

                        

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Wake Forest NC House Chick - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!

 

 

 

 

There are always so many fun things to do in Wake Forest NC that are perfect for ANY age!  This upcoming week has some great events that are sure to find a spot on your calendar!  It is always so much fun for me to post these events as it just goes to show - there is no place to live like Wake Forest NC!

Be sure to take special note of the Fundraiser at Milton's Pizza & Pasta - if you haven't been you simply must go!  The food is absolutely superb and this is for a tremendous cause.

Another great cause is the Heritage Middle School Career Fair - if you would like to volunteer to speak about your career please get in touch with them!  They would love to have you!

From the Town of Wake Forest NC website:

Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) Club Meeting
Monday, March 29; 9:30 am weigh in and 10:10 am meeting
St. John's Episcopal Church, 830 Durham Rd., Wake Forest
TOPS is a non-profit weight loss support program that welcomes all! Your first session is free and annual membership is only $26. Contact Laura Wickwar for more information at (919) 621-3613.  www.tops.org


"Amazing Amelia & Her Penguin Pals" Fundraiser
Monday, March 29; 4 pm - 10 pm
Milton's Pizza & Pasta
"Amazing Amelia & Her Penguin Pals" will host a fundraising dinner at Milton's Pizza & Pasta on Monday, March 29th from 4pm - 10pm.  20% of the sales genereated by our team go towards the "Angels Among Us 5k & Family Fun Walk" which raises money to find a cure for brain tumors. 100 % of the donations made at this event go towards research at Duke University Hospital's Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. For more information, contact Veronica Brown at vandebrown@gmail.com or (919) 744-0808.


Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) Club Meeting - Evening
Tuesday, March 30; 6:30 pm weigh in and 6:45 pm meeting
Wake Forest Baptist Church Room 213, 103 N. Main St., Wake Forest
TOPS is a non-profit weight loss support program that welcomes all! Your first session is free and annual membership is only $26. Contact Laura Wickwar for more information at (919) 621-3613.  www.tops.org

Heritage Middle School Career Fair
Apr. 1-30
Heritage Middle School
Twelve volunteers are needed to speak to classes for approximately 25 minutes regarding their careers. Contact Rosalynn Tennie at rtennie@wcpss.net to schedule your time.


Firing Range Training
Wednesday, Apr. 1; 1 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 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. www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/police_firingrange.aspx


Wake Forest Woman's Club Meeting
Thursday, April 1; 6:30 pm
Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave.
The Wake Forest Woman's Club will meet Thursday, April 1, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the Wake Forest Community House, located at 133 W. Owen Ave. The guest speaker is local Attorney Kathryn Drake, who will share information living wills, power of attorney, and estate wills. For more information, contact Quinn a 76l-1646. Refreshments will be served and guests are welcome.

                        

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Wake Forest NC House Chick - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!

 

 

 

 

Historic Downtown Wake Forest NC is quite a draw for many wanting to recapture the feel of the small southern town from days gone by.  Whether you are wanting to while away the afternoon window shopping in the many specialty shops, sip a hand-crafted coffee, sample some fresh made Italian gelato or seek that perfect gift there is definitely a place for you in Historic Downtown Wake Forest NC!

• Backfins Crabhouse - 110 S. White Street (AWESOME CRAB LEGS! Ask my son - his favorite food and he loves it there!)
  
• Olde English Tea Room - 219 S. White Street (Oh my, most incredible collection of teas and simply delicious food! Perfect for lunch!)
  
• Shorty's Famous Hotdogs - 214 S. White Street (Well, they are FAMOUS! Best hotdog you'll find!)
  
• Seafood Shack - 419 S. Brooks Street (Great fried selections and ya just gotta try the hushpuppies!)
  
• Over The Falls Deli - 238 S. White Street (Wish i could pick a favorite from here - just can't - it's ALL GOOD!  But, if I had to recommend a sandwich?  The Kenosis!)
  
• LaForesta Italian Cafe & Pizzeria - 203 S. Brooks Street (Oh my - MY FAVORITE!  Been here for special occasions, cocktails and appetizers with the girls and on the fly lunches - DELISH!)
• Las Margaritas - 111 s. White Street (One of the BEST Mexican restaurants we have found!)

• A la Mode Ice Cream Cafe - 143 Wait Avenue (If I call this place sinful will you still visit? The most AMAZING gelato to be found! Great decor as well!)
• Wake Forest Coffee Company - 156 S. White Street (What can I say - the staff here are true artisans with the bean!  I can say, hands down, some of the best coffee I have ever had.  And the concoctions they come up with?  Delicious and creative.)
• Wake Forest Farmers Market - Municipal Parking Lot (Yummy homemade treats every Saturday from 8am - noon.  Fresh from the farm produce and always something a little different to find each week.)

Over 30 shoppes can be found to entice you in and they offer up some of the most unique and creative gifts.  Still want to know more?  Here are a few that I have collected that I would highly recommend:

• Alphabet Soup and Educational Supplies - 145 E. Wait Avenue (Educational resources, toys, books, tutoring and more!)
• Cotton Company - 525 S. White Street (A cornucopia of booths inside an old mill that houses artist galleries, jewelers, specialty items and just a fun place to spend the afternoon!)
• For Old Times Sake - 223 S. White Street (Treasures galore! Antiques and hard to find items)
• Twisted Vine - 156 S. White Street (An incredible selection of wines, wine tastings and great gifts!)
• Sprig - 111 S. White Street (Unique nature-inspired gifts with organic soaps that are out of this world!)
• Old Magnolia Trading Co. - 206 S. White Street (When I haven't had luck in other stores finding a special gift I always have success here!)
• Next Consignment Boutique - 210 S. White Street (Extraordinary consignment shop with top brand names!  True finds to be found!)
• NC Specialty Shops - 150 S. White Street (Great selection of NC hand-crafted foods and gifts)
• Storyteller's Bookstore - 100 E. Roosevelt Avenue (Extensive collection of books!  Poetry workshops, storytelling and little something for everyone.)
• Wake Forest Florist - 536 S. White Street (Gorgeous fresh flowers from simply bouquets to extravagant arrangements)
• Red Door Interiors - 221 S. White Street (Wonderful selection of home decor items and very impressive collection of Vera Bradley!)

And for the not so traditional shopping experience be sure to check out the Art Galleries!  It makes me smile everyday to walk downtown Wake Forest NC and see all the art - this is truly a creative community!  Some must sees are:

• Sunflower Studio - 214 E. Jones (Art classes for all ages!  This is a MUST drop by during Art After Hours each month!)
• Cotton Company Gallery - 525 S. White Street (Some of the most amazing local artists can be found here!)
• Wake Forest Portrait Shoppe - 112 E. Roosevelt Avenue (THE place to go for wedding portraits!  They have work displayed in the windows and it is simply breathtaking!  Family portraits, Kids, Pets, you name it they'll get it on film!)

                        

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Wake Forest NC House Chick - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!

 

 

 

 

The demand for corporate debt and higher yields is luring away buyers of treasuries.  The purchase and sale of US Treasuries affect smortgage rates.  When treasuries are bought, rates stay stable or drop.  When they are sold rates increase.  There was heavy selling today causing the mortgage markets to respond by increasing interest rates.

I recommend that you lock your loans immediately.  Floating is way too risky as investors scramble to find higher returns on their investments.  Enonomic recovery are part of the reason and investors preparing for higher taxes in response to health care legislation that passed.  Investors are not buying the statement that the deficit will go down.  Wall street expects higher taxes to fund the health care reform.  Hard to determine if this caused the run up in rates today.

Tomorrow the 7 year note goes on sale but nobody expects many buyers.  We may see aother sell off tomorrow causing mortgage rates to rise.  The duration of this will be determined on te economic outlook.  If investors believe the economy is improving they will buy socks.  Mortgages are attractive in bear markets due to their conservative nature.

Lock 'em if you got  'em.

First of all, a BIG thanks to all of my loyal readers of my blogs and friends and family that have shown me nothing but unwavering support throughout the years!  Without all of you this job would be no fun and I certainly wouldn't have a huge smile on my face every morning when I wake up.

As many of you know that read THIS blog I, from time to time, cross-reference some of my other blogs.  I am also always inviting you to connect with me on many of the various social networking sites that I contribute to.  Well, my personal Facebook page started to become much more centered around business and less about the day to day ramblings of a wife, mother, daughter and diva extraordinaire......so, I did what any socially connected person would do - I created a Fan Page on Facebook that I will devote entirely to business!

I would love to have you connect with me there so you can Stay On Top of the Wake Forest NC Real Estate Market!  And what would I love even MORE?  Interaction, of course!  If you have questions or comments please feel free to leave them on my Fan Page and be sure to check out the Discussions Page that I will be developing within the next few days.  All you have to do is click on the Fan Page Badge below and you will go straight to my Fan Page.

                        

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Wake Forest NC House Chick - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!

 

 

 

 

Lie: A fiction; a fable; an untruth.

I’ve been told to lie to my clients, or else.  If I don’t lie, I  will be asked to pay thousands of dollars.  Lying is in the best interest of the consumer and is there to protect them. All honest mortgage loan officers must now lie about their loan charges.

The Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act or MDIA requires that we include "seller transfer tax" and the “sellers cost” of owners policy for title insurance in the annual percentage rate (APR) on the truth in lending disclosure and new good faith estimate, otherwise we have to pay for them. 

Some escrow companies refuse to close escrow unless seller charges are included in the buyers APR. Lenders and escrow companies define APR fees differently.  Therefore, to meet the requirements of the new policies imposed by the Fed I will lie to my clients on every truth in lending disclosure I provide by including seller fees that they don't really have to pay. 

The process of shopping a mortgage was confusing enough.  These new requirements make it near impossible to shop a mortgage loan. Trust is strained between a new client and their loan professional by these inconsistencies.  It's absurd to a client that we show them paying a fee they won't pay.

I applaud the Fed on the new good faith estimate.  It’s so convenient and easy to use with no signature required by either party. Hmm.. how does one know if the customer ever saw it?  The Fed trusts us to provide a good faith estimate without proof of receipt.  However they do not trust us to properly estimate fees.

It must be easy for predatory lenders to verbally quote low fees, provide a confusing truth in lending and then slip a higher than initially quoted good faith estimate into the file for underwriting. The customer is still victim to the old “bait and switch” tactics that the new good faith estimate was created to prevent.

The opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of First Priority Financial Inc.

Need a place to get rid of all that "extra" stuff you found while Spring Cleaning?  No worries!  Check out the Community Tag Sale in Wake Forest NC this coming weekend! 

For ONLY $15 you can rent a spot at the event to sell your "stuff" and you can even sell baked goods, crafts and other services.  The Wake Forest NC Community Tag Sale will be held Saturday, March 27 from 8:00am until noon at Southern Classic Cars located at 417 S. Brooks Street.

The really cool thing?  YOU keep all the profit!

For more information and to reserve your spot please visit the Wake Forest Junior Women's Club at http://www.wfjuniors.com

                        

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Wake Forest NC House Chick - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!