Life In Wake Forest NC.....

I know, I know - the season just changed to Fall but NOW is the time to get your home ready for the winter so you aren't left out in the cold.  Yes, pun intended!  ;)  Winters can be brutal regardless of where you live in the country but just a few small steps can help get you through winter both safe and warm.

• It is a good idea to have your heating unit checked now.  Have a professional come out an perform a preventative maintenance routine on your system to be sure it is operating in top condition and is as efficient as possible.
• While you SHOULD be changing you air filters throughout the house in regular intervals go ahead and add it to a Fall Maintenance checklist - it doesn't hurt to double check them and start a schedule of when you change them.  A great tip is to use a Sharpie and actually mark on the filter frame when you install a fresh one.
• If you have a fireplace NOW is the time to have a professional chimney sweep to come out and perform routine maintenance and to have your chimney cleaned.
• Replace your warm weather window screens with storm windows which will add another layer of insulation during the cold months.
  
• Check all door and windows to be sure they are closing properly and have tight seals.  You may need to invest a few dollars for some caulk if you are finding air seeping in.
• While you have the caulk go ahead and check all of your plumbing fixtures in your bathrooms like shower heads and faucets.  You want to be sure there are no gaps between the fixture and the wall where warm air can escape AND no water can seep into the walls/floors.
• After that last warm afternoon in the Fall when you mow the grass be sure to use ALL gas in the lawn equipment.  You do NOT want to store any lawn equipment with gas left in it.
• Clean out all gutters and downspouts to prevent leaf and debris buildup.  It would be a great time to install gutter guards if you don't already have them.
  
• Check all under house plumbing pipes if you have a crawlspace to be sure there is adequate insulation.
• Check your attic space!  Be sure that there is no attic insulation covering vents and that all vents are free from debris. 
  
• Ceiling fans?  Be sure to reverse their direction for the winter months.  By doing so you will reverse the air flow thereby pulling the warm air up and mixing it into the room.
• Don't forget your thermostat - 68-72 degrees should be just fine.  By turning your thermostat down by just a degree or two overnight and while you are away will also help to keep heating costs down.

I don't know about you but I am super-excited that Fall is here and yes, I am strange, I LOVE Winter!  I will be prepared for Winter and I hope with the above checklist that you will be, too!

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Wake Forest NC has an abundant supply of Parks and Greenways!  Trails wind through town, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and playground dot the landscape and even the doggies have their very own place to romp and play with their buddies!  Through this series you will find information on all the various parks in Wake Forest NC so you can always find a great way to spend a weekend afternoon with friends or family.

Kiwanis Park is located in downtown Wake Forest NC right next door to the Wake Forest Library!  It is extremely convenient to make your stop at the library and then skip over to the park for a little afternoon playtime and lunch!  This small park offers a picnic shelter, a variety of play equipment and a gorgeous paved greenway trail.  Kiwanis Park is also located right down the street from Franklin Academy so it is not an unusual sight to see the park overflowing with kids in the afternoon when the Academy is dismissed!  Kiwanis Park is also a very popular spot throughout the day for playdates - always a few moms and their youngsters spending some time at the park!

You can find Kiwanis Park at 400 E. Holding Avenue, Wake Forest NC.

• Wake Forest NC Parks - E. Carroll Joyner Park

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Majestic Oaks

Majestic Oaks is a gorgeous new community in Wake Forest NC located just off of Rogers Road and adjacent to Heritage.  This new community is intimate with just a handful of well-built custom homes by various well known builders from the area such as Sawyer Homes, Stellar Blu Construction, Williams Custom Building and Cambridge Classic Homes.  Located just around the corner are many conveniences such as shopping, restaurants, banks, a post office, ice cream shops and MORE! 

Currently there are 12 homes for sale in Majestic Oaks and they are in various stages of construction.  Prices range from $299,900 - $375,000.  See below for some of the particulars on the homes within Majestic Oaks. 

Schools currently assigned to Majestic Oaks are:

• Jones Dairy Elementary - year round
• Heritage Middle School - year round
• Heritage High School
  

*  please note that schools in Wake County are subject to change.  It is always best to research an address via the Student Assignment Finder that you can access via my website, Wake Forest House Chick.

Interested in other neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC?  Check out some of my other Neighborhood Posts:

• Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - Fairlake

• Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - Holding Ridge

• Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - Dansforth

• Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - Austin Creek

• Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - Crenshaw Hall

• Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - St. Ives Estates

• Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - Northampton
• Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC - Olde Mill Stream

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Give Buyers and Their Agents The Time and Space They Need

It can be tempting when your home is listed to stick around while it is being shown to buyers so you be sure all the finer details are pointed out but, honestly?  It is the worst decision you can make and for many different reasons.

First, your listing agent has more than likely done a fantastic job in advertising and marketing your property.  It's obvious they have or why else would you have buyers interested in seeing your home.  If you question the job that they are doing then why are you still listed with them?

Secondly, the agent that is showing your home has already received all the information they need from your agent and other various sources such as tax records and public resources.  They will know what to point out to their buyers.

But, most importantly, the buyers and their agent need privacy while previewing your home so that they can openly make observations about your home, compare it to other homes that they have seen and they need to feel comfortable opening closet doors, cabinets, etc.  They need to freely be able to take their time in previewing your home to explore ALL areas of your home.  Your home is YOUR home and what is important to you may not be important to the next buyer.  They aren't YOU.  They have their own wants and needs and at this point have already found something interesting about your home of they wouldn't be there in the first place.

The worst thing that can happen during a showing is to have a seller follow on the heels of a buyer and their agent watching their every move and incessantly trying to "sell" their home.  A buyer will feel nothing but pressure and most definitely be put off.  They have hired an agent to represent them in the search and purchase of their home - THAT is who they trust.  While YOU as a buyer may feel there are special details in your home keep in mind that they may be only important to you.  You are the one with the emotional attachment to your home and you simply can not transfer that emotion to the buyer.

So, please remember, when your home is being shown it is best to simply leave.  Give the buyer and their agent some room to breathe and "experience" the home.  Trust that your agent will follow up with the buyers agent to discuss any questions there may be or to seek valuable feedback.

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Looks like tomorrow will finally bring with it COOLER Fall weather!  Whew - these records 90s over the last few days have been rough!  The hot weather can make it tough to get into the Fall spirit and all the Festivals and outdoor events that come with it - but, we made it and the events are on their way!  This weeks list of things to do in Wake Forest NC is full of a variety that will appeal to EVERYONE!

So, take a minute to check it all out and pencil in a few on YOUR calendar!

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) September Morning Club Meetings
Monday, Sept 27; 9:30 am weigh in and 10:10 am meeting
Wakefield Baptist Church, 13029 Falls of the Neuse Rd.
TOPS is a non-profit weight loss support program that welcomes all! Your first session is free and annual membership is only $26.Contact Karen Banks for more information at (919) 569-7595 . www.tops.org

Building Strong Nonprofits: Establishing a Nonprofit—The Basics
Monday, Sept 27; 3:30 pm – 5 pm
Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce, 350 S. White St.
The Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the INS Group, presents a workshop series open to members and non-members. In this session, executive directors and board members will learn the key steps and methodology for building a successful strategic plan. The session will enhance a board's understanding of financial statements, review of the new required 990 form and their fiduciary responsibility. $20 per person/per session or 4 sessions for $70. Contact Mary Yount at (919) 556-1519 or Mary@wakeforestchamber.org.

 
Wake Forest Police Department Fundraiser for Sybrina Hayes
Tuesday, Sept 28; 5 pm – 10 pm
Milton’s Pizza & Pasta, 14520 New Falls of Neuse Rd.
Benefitting Sybrina Hayes, the 14-year-old daughter of Wake Forest Police Officer Brenda Hayes, who is being treated at Duke Children’s Hospital for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. When you order your meal, say you are there to support Sybrina Hayes. For more information, contact Officer M. J. Pender or Officer B. Loveless at (919) 554-6150 , or email hayesfundraiser@gmail.com.

Temporary Road Closure for Police Training
Tuesday, Sept 28; 9 am - 2 pm
Friendship Chapel Road
The portion of Friendship Chapel Road from the 1250 block (Heritage Hills Road) to Jones Dairy Road will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 28 from 9 am - 2 pm. Gateway Commons Circle may be utilized as a detour. (919) 435-9400

Wake Forest Unplugged...Get Connected
Friday, Oct 1 at 5 pm thru Sunday Oct 3 at 5 pm
Wake Forest Unplugged" is a rare opportunity for Wake Forest-area residents to "disconnect" from cell phones, PDAs, and computers, and "re-connect" with their community, friends, and family. Sign a pledge form promising to "unplug" from your television, computer, phone, or video games and instead engage in healthier, more active pursuits. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Recreation Advisory Board. For information, contact Parks & Recreation Director Susan Simpson at (919) 435-9561 .  www.wakeforestnc.gov/unplugged.aspx.

NBC 17 Shred-It Event
Saturday, Oct 2; 10 am – 2 pm
Garner TV & Appliance, 6310 Plantation Center Dr., Raleigh
Protect your identity by bringing your personal documents to be shredded! Goodwill will be collecting donations of household goods and clothing.

Concert in the Park
Sunday, Oct 3; 3 pm – 5 pm
E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd.
Leroy Savage & The Bottom Feeders will perform at a free concert offered by PineCone. The event will serve as a fitting conclusion to "Wake Forest Unplugged...Get Connected." Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Co-sponsored by the Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department and United Arts of Raleigh and Wake County. (919) 435-9560

 

 

 

 

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__________________________________

________________________________________________________

Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

PMI is an insurance policy.  The letters stand for Private Mortgage Insurance.  This insurance policy pays a lender for financial losses in the event a home is foreclosed.

If you had a small down payment and foreclosed the lender would suffer huge losses. Homes with 20% or more in equity usually have enough money for a lender to cover expenses to sell a foreclosed home.  Conventional loans with a 20% down payment do not require PMI.

Why not just call it mortgage insurance?  The government also insures mortgages. FHA, VA and USDA loans are all insured by the US government.  Conventional loans are loans that are not insured by the government but rather private insurance companies. Private Mortgage Insurance only applies to conventional loans. 

Risk factors determine the basis point or BP used by MI companies to determine a monthly payment. The riskier a borrower is the higher the BP.  A higher BP means a higher PMI payment.

Example:  A 5% down payment may require 35% coverage. A 10% down payment may require 18% coverage.

35% coverage for someone with excellent credit will have a lower monthly payment than someone with fair credit.  To determine the payment we multiply the loan amount by the BP and divide by 12.

Example: 35% coverage on 250,000 fixed rate loan.  If credit score is 700 or higher the BP is .90  If credit is under 700 the BP is 1.07%.  View source

Loan amount 250,000 x (BP) .90 = $2,250 annually or $187.50 per month

PMI can be paid in multiple ways.  These are the three most common:

1) No up front premium with scheduled monthly payments. 

2) An partial up front premium is paid reducing the amount of the scheduled monthly payments.

3) The entire balance of scheduled PMI payments are paid in one lump sum resulting in no monthly payments.

PMI is a tax deductible expense.  However the IRS has rules regarding the PMI deductible so please speak with a qualified tax adviser.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have relating to PMI

This is a phrase that is heard repeatedly as of late in Real Estate - "I don't want to give my house away".  Trust us, we don't want you to give your house away either but as Betty so aptly puts it, we, as REALTORS, do not control the market.

Please take a moment to read Betty's post - it might just help you to understand the real estate market and ask yourself some really in-depth questions that may provide some needed answers. 

Thanks, Betty, for the post and the opportunity to reblog!

 

 

 

 

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__________________________________

                  

__________________________________

________________________________________________________

Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

It's staggering when you think about the cost of living, especially if you're a renter and not a home owner. If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, over the next three years your property management company will effectively have reaped $36,000 of your hard earned cash.

You know your rent will go up.  Even if you live in an area that has rent control regulations. You're paying the mortgage for the property owner, when you could be building equity in your own real estate investment.

The tax deductions available to homeowners vary.  Real estate taxes, mortgage interest, pre-paid interest, and interest on construction loans are all things to take into consideration as tax benefits.

If you or someone you know is currently renting, I urge you to call me to discuss the many low down payment and first time home buyer down payment assistance loan programs that are currentlyavailable to prospective home buyers. My team and I work to ensure the client's long-term goals are met.