Life In Wake Forest NC.....

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Twin Creeks

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:51:42 -0400

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Twin Creeks

You might have seen the most recent Wake Forest NC Neighborhood post that highlighted Olde Mill Stream. Well, Twin Creeks is tucked in behind Olde Mill Stream and is a beautiful community filled with natural beauty! Twin Creeks is actually a newer part of Olde Mill Stream and is only accessible via Olde Mill Stream which makes Twin Creeks extremely quiet and peaceful with very little traffic.

Trees are EVERY WHERE is Twin Creeks as are natural vistas that have been left untouched by the builders. Currently, there are 12 homes available for sale in Twin Creeks and several lots that are still available for you to build your dream home. The homes that are currently on the market range in price from $264,500 to $472,800. There is quite a spread in square footage in that price range - you'll find everything from a Low Country styled home with 2049 square feet to a Traditional 2story with full finished basement perfect for teenagers or a guest suite.

Lots in Twin Creeks tend to run from .18 ac up to a lot as large as .5 acre. However, focus tends to be on natural scenery rather than actual lot sizes. All lots are unique in their topography and each offers a different perspective on living.

Schools assigned to Twin Creeks are:

Jones Dairy Elementary
Heritage Middle School
Wake Forest Rolesville High School

* Schools in Wake Forest NC are subject to change so it is best to research schools with the Student Assignment Finder which is available on my website, Wake Forest NC House Chick.

Twin Creeks in Wake Forest NC is an absolutely beautiful community that offers peace and tranquility to its residents. If you have any questions regarding Twin Creeks please feel free to give me a call or simply send me an email - I'd be happy to help!

Search Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC - Twin Creeks

Other Wake Forest NC Neighborhoods:

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 - Hasentree

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!

Beware! Conspiracy & greed place a cloud on title killing your real estate transaction

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:04:22 -0400

Unbeknown to you the latest real estate industry scam is running full speed ahead placing a cloud on title. You've listed and advertised your property. An offer is made and accepted and you anticipate a quick close. But there is a skeleton in the closet!

The lender calls to tell you, Sorry- loan denied. This home has a re seller fee clause and is not deliverable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Since these two buy most of the mortgages you can pretty much guarantee without an all cash buyer willing to pay the re seller fee, your deal is dead.

What is a re seller fee clause? I wrote a blog post about this last month. Click here to read it. To watch the video click the Scam Alert box below. Unfortunately I could not retrieve the HTML code to embed the video.

Whenever regulations are put in place to prevent abuses a new line of abuses is born. Unitl the new abuses are discovered, recorded and new legislation passed the criminals reap big profits. So a new law is passed to stop it and the next scam replaces it.

Preventative measures to combat this problem. Call your escrow company and request a preliminary title report on a property you want to list. Read it thoroughly. Make sure there is no re seller clause. If you are representing a buyer wanting to buy new construction read and understand every page of the contract because the re seller clause is likely slipped in there somewhere in the back out of plain view. You can take it a step further and recommend to your client that a real estate or contract law attorney review the builders contract for this clause.

I have a feeling this may not be limited to new construction. I don't know the inner workings of how this type of clause is implemented. Considering the potential residual profits from this scam I'm sure these criminal ideas are trying to find their way into existing home sales too.

Isn't it great that we have a place to share the latest news affecting our industry?

North County

*1902 Wright St 2nd floor Carlsbad CA 92008

New Office!

2990 Jamacha Road #136 El Cajon CA 92019

Nevin Williams NMLS #69651

*Not a licensed office location

Volunteers Needed in Downtown Wake Forest NC - Can You Help?

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:06:05 -0400

Volunteers are needed in Downtown Wake Forest NC for the many up-coming Fall events that are scheduled! Fall is an incredible time of year in Wake Forest NC with the Autumns Arts Festival, the Concert Series and MORE! If you have some time and would like to help out then take a peek at the times available - just a few short hours of your time can make these events extraordinary!

The Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization needs volunteers! We have many exciting events coming up and are need in volunteers to help run the events.

Autumn Arts Festival: Art In Store Volunteers are needed on October 9th for the following shifts

GC5 --

10 am to 12 pm

12 pm to 2 pm

· 2 pm to 4 pm

4 pm to 5:30 pm

Municipal Parking Lot --

10 am to 12 pm

· 12 pm to 2 pm

2 pm to 4 pm

4 pm to 5:30 pm

Funday Sunday Downtown Fall Concert Series Volunteers are needed to help between 2:00 and 4:30 pm on the following days:

October 17

October 24

October 31

November 7

November 14

November 21

Downtown Cleanup Days Help us clean up Downtown with cleanup days from 9 am to 11 am on the following days:

September 18

October 16

November 20

December 18

Please let Maggie O'Neill know if you have any questions or would like to volunteer for something that is on this list. They have projects to accommodate Senior Projects or required volunteer hours for clubs. Email Maggie at maggie@wakeforestdowntown.com if you would like to sign up for any of these tasks.

Thank you for your support of Downtown Wake Forest!

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!

Stunning Historic Beauty in Louisburg NC- Auction Ends 9/14 - Starting Bid $50,000

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:28:32 -0400

I am sure you may have seen one of my many posts in the past regarding this gorgeous 6000 square foot historic beauty in Louisburg NC! This home has been off the market and back on the market more times than I care to think about. Due to unforeseen circumstances it is once again back on the market and up for auction. The auction ends on 9/14/2010 and the starting bid is ONLY $50,000.00. That is not a typo! For more information please visit What's YOUR Circa? and more importantly

Historic Home in Louisburg Back on The Market!

More pictures available at link and you can email me for more interior pictures and information!

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!

Great Week of Things to Do in Wake Forest NC - September 6 - 12, 2010

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:32:44 -0400

What a BEAUTIFUL weekend it has been in Wake Forest NC and I know there are SO many that were able to take today off and spend it with friends and family cooking out and just taking it easy! I was fortunate that my parents came up for Florida for the weekend - WOW! We hadn't seen each other in almost a year! It was incredible to take a few days "off" and just spend time with them! That's also why the weekly post is a little late but I am sure you can understand where my priorities were this weekend.

This week in Wake Forest NC has a great line up of events! It's the second Friday of the Month so you know what that means - Art After Hours! In addition, there are several artist receptions happening AND the Grand Opening of the NEW Wake Forest NC Town Hall! There is an Infant & Child CPR class offered this upcoming weekend, the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk, the Wake Forest NC Farmers Market and a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast - TONS to do so see you out and about in Wake Forest NC!

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) September Evening Club Meetings
Tuesdays, Sept 7, 14, 21, 28; 6:30 pm weigh in and 6:45 pm meeting
Wake Forest Baptist Church, 107 E. South Ave., Room 213
TOPS is a non-profit weight loss support program that welcomes all! Your first session is free and annual membership is only $26.Contact Anne Marie for more information at (919) 649-4818 or marathonher@yahoo.com. www.tops.org

Art After Hours
Friday, Sept 10; 5 pm - 9 pm
Downtown Wake Forest
Art comes alive in Historic Downtown Wake Forest during the second Friday of each month. Visit several gallery opening receptions, taste regional wine, and listen to great music in the streets. Weather permitting, the Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation will provide horse and carriage rides. www.wakeforestdowntown.com

Art Opening at Sunflower Studio featuring Mary Jane Haley
Friday, Sept 10; 5 pm – 9 pm (Opening Reception)
Sept 10 – Oct 2 (Exhibit)
Sunflower Studio & Gallery, 214 E. Jones Ave.
Mary Jane Haley waited a long time to see her dream of being an artist become a reality. Having grown up the daughter of a coal miner in a small coal mining town near Charleston, West Virginia, she loved to paint and draw, but never had time to pursue her love. Going to work at the age of 16 then marrying and raising six children kept her fairly busy. She is now retired and living in Kittrell, NC and finally has time to paint. Now her dream is that others will enjoy her work. Please come meet Mary Jane and enjoy her art at the opening reception during Art After Hours. www.sunflowerstudiowf.com

Town Hall Grand Opening
Friday, Sept 10; 5:30 pm – 8 pm
Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.
The Town of Wake Forest will host a special grand opening ceremony, followed by a reception and tours of the new facility. 5:30 pm: Community Concert with performances by Freddy Greene, the Wake Forest Singers, Dance Attic and Heritage Middle School Chorus. 6:00 pm: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with NBC 17 News Anchor Melanie Sanders serving as the program emcee. 6:30 pm: Building Tours & Reception The public is invited to tour the new facility and learn more about the many green features integrated in its design and construction. Because of its energy efficiency, the new Wake Forest Town Hall is expected to earn LEED Gold certification.The grand opening festivities are planned in conjunction with Art After Hours – a celebration of the arts held the second Friday of each month in historic downtown Wake Forest. Area residents are invited to attend the town hall grand opening, then visit downtown Wake Forest and experience all that Art After Hours has to offer. Free and open to the public. www.wakeforestnc.gov/newtownhall.aspx Contact Bill Crabtree at (919) 435-9421 or bcrabtree@wakeforestnc.gov.

Art Opening at The Cotton Company featuring Stephen Filarsky
Friday, Sept 10; 6 pm – 9 pm (Opening Reception)
Sept 6 – Oct 3 (Exhibit)
The Cotton Company, 306 S. White St.
The Cotton Company will be featuring the work of Stephen Filarsky, a talented painter, throughout the month of September. A wine tasting and reception will be held on Friday, September 10 in conjunction with Art After Hours. Steve paints a variety of subjects such as equestrian landscapes, portraits and beach landscapes using his surroundings as inspiration. You can find him working on the side of the road, the beach, up on a mountain or in his studio nearby in Granville County. For more information, visit www.thecottoncompany.net, or call (919) 570-0087 .

Wake Forest Second Annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, Sept 11; 8 am (registration check-in from 7 am – 7:45 am)
Downtown Wake Forest, corner of Elm Avenue and Franklin Street
A special run to honor those in our community who serve in emergency services. This year’s event will have three beneficiaries: the Stephen Siller “Let Us Do Good” Children’s Foundation; the children’s burn unit at the NC Jaycee Burn Center; and “Luggage with Love,” a local organization which seeks to provide each foster child in our area with a piece of new or gently used luggage so that he/she can have something of his/her own to transport belongings when moved to other foster homes. Go to www.TunnelToTowersWF.org for more information and to register.

Infant & Child CPR Course
Saturday, Sept 11; 8 am – 12 pm
Wake Forest Nazarene Church, 203 Capcom Ave., Suite 114
Training and certification provided by the American Red Cross. Cost: $50. Pre-registration is required at www.TriangleRedCross.org. For more information, call (919) 277-2803 .

Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
Sunday, Sept 12; 8 am - 1 pm
American Legion Hall, 225 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
American Legion Post 187 will hold a pancake and sausage breakfast on the second Sunday of each month at the Legion Hall, across from the Wake Forest Post Office. All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, orange juice and choice of hot beverage for only $5 per person/$20 max per family. Proceeds support community and veterans projects. For information call (919) 494-2707 .

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 Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Olde Mill Stream

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:04:52 -0400

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Olde Mill Stream

Olde Mill Stream is a fantastic community in Wake Forest NC that were built between the mid-90's and mid 2000's. Olde Mill Stream is located in north Wake Forest NC with easy access from both Capital Boulevard and Wall Street. Grocery stores, restaurants and local amenities are just a short drive away. The tree lined streets with sidewalks and the rolling topography enhance the appeal of Olde Mill Stream making it one of the most sough after neighborhoods in it's price point.

Homes for sale in Olde Mill Stream range from $137,700 for a well-maintained ranch starter home with just under 1200 square feet to a custom built two-story with over 2500 square feet priced at $289,900. Currently, there are 6 homes for sale in Olde Mill Stream and each has it's own appeal and style! Lot sizes in Olde Mill Stream are generous with most have over a 1/3 of an acre to just over 1/2 an acre.

Olde Mill Stream Schools are:

Jones Dairy Elementary
Heritage Middle School
Wake Forest Rolesville High School

* Please note that schools in Wake Forest NC are subject to reassignment so it is always best to check out the Student Resources on my website, Wake Forest NC House Chick.

Tucked back in Olde Mill Stream you can also find Twin Creeks at Olde Mill Stream - be sure to check out an upcoming post to catch all the latest on these beautiful custom homes as well!

Search for Homes for Sale in Olde Mill Stream
Wake Forest NC Schools
Wake Forest NC Neighborhoods
Wake Forest NC House Chick

Other Wake Forest NC Neighborhoods:

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

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!

1045 Sagamore Drive, Louisburg NC - Price Reduction on End of Cove Lot

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:02:31 -0400

Links

Photo Gallery

Peaceful Coves

Many Picnic Areas

Marinas

18 Hole Golf Course

Golf Clubhouse

Clubhouse

Sunny Beaches

Absolute Paradise

Description

This lot is a gorgeous location at the end of a cove! Small stream runs along the back end of lot. With over .34 acres this lot is ideal to build your dream home in an amazing community!

Lake Royale is a gated community offering 24/7 Security and an unparalleled lifestyle! Whether you are wanting to build your dream home or vacation home Lake Royale is THE location. Enjoy your days with any of the many activities such as boating, swimming, tennis, golf, and fishing to choose from. Tremendous beaches, playgrounds and picnic areas also dot this picturesque lake!

Don't forget to bring your boat as there are numerous marinas around the community for storage.

Features

Acreage: .34Zoning: ResSewerage: NoWater: YesSubdivision: Lake RoyaleSchool District: Franklin CountyAgent Name: Leesa FinleyBroker: Circa PropertiesMLS #: 1718254

Location

1045 Sagamore Drive Louisburg NC 27549

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!

Evaluate, Price Properly and RE-Evaluate!

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:55:49 -0400

In the Wake Forest NC Real Estate market, both commercial AND residential inventory and sales are fluid! Fluid as in moving like a rushing river and changing course! What may have been considered a reasonable price point a few months ago for a property has most likely changed.

I can promise that no Realtor® will argue the point that if you want to sell your home you must price it properly. But, even well priced homes will, at times, linger on the market for a little longer and there may be certain factors that play into that.

If you are in an area where you have strong competition chances are the other Realtors® and sellers are just as savvy and priced their properties properly. With that, not every home, regardless of price, is going to be the perfect "fit" for every buyer.
Maybe you are in an area where you are comparing RED apples to RED apples. If that is the case have you considered staging your property? Staging your home might be that one little touch that sets you apart from the rest of the competition.
Is anything else moving in your neighborhood? That brings me to really the point of this post.

You and your Realtor® must continually re-evaluate your local real estate market. Review your local market competition on a regular basis - depending on your area you may consider doing this every two weeks. See what has sold in your neighborhood or perhaps what properties may have gone under contract. More importantly, have any of the properties adjusted their price and possibly added financial incentives to buyers such as paid closing costs, agent bonuses, warranties, etc.

And one important reminder, don't rely on information from your neighbors. Especially those that also have their homes on the market. Trust that your Realtor® will give you the most up to date information and accurate information. They have a vested interest in your home selling, too!

If your home is currently on the market and you do NOT have this open and continual communication with your Realtor® you may want to reconsider your expectations and if you and your Realtor® are a good fit. NO Realtor® should ever scoff at having to "check in" with you or be too busy to provide you with the information you need to get your home sold!

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 Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Hasentree

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:18:36 -0400

Hasentree is a beautiful community located in Wake Forest NC. With winding roads, lush greens of the golf course, bountiful nature all around and some of the most amazing scenery in the area Hasentree is the perfect place to call home.

With over 800+ acres Hasentree offers it's residents unprecedented amenities such as a Tom Fazio designed golf course, a 13,000 square foot Family Activity Center, walking trails, pools, playgrounds, and more! In June of 2008 Hasentree was named a Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary - less than 75 communities nationwide have been awarded this distinct award and and Hasentree is one of only five in North Carolina. The Family Activity Center serves as the heartbeat for this one of a kind community offering a resort styled swimming pool, a state of the art fitness center, six clay tennis courts, a spa treatment room, Game and Media Room, Cafe and Coffee corner, Kids Corner, group fitness room for body sculping, spinning, and yoga, professionally trained activities staff on site, playground and so much more. The Family Activity Center is THE place to meet your neighbors and socialize!

The golf course at Hasentree was designed by one of the greatest golf course architects, Tom Fazio. Surrounded by nature and a variety of natural grasses playing a round of golf at Hasentree certainly becomes an experience that transports you to another place. The 5,000 square foot golf shop is is the focal point of for getting your game underway. The Hasentree Golf Shop offers and outdoor patio and fire-pit gazebo with food service available. The second level of the golf shops offers a full bar, flat screen tc, leather furniture and a great location for an afternoon business lunch.

With a mixture of homes for sale in Hasentree there is simply plenty of designs and styles to suit anyone's taste. Currently, there are 27 Homes for Sale in Hasentree each with a distinct style and feel all to themselves. The homes range in price from $679,900.00 - $4,195,000.00 and were built by some of the areas premiere luxury standard builders. Some of the finer appointments that these homes offer are:

Wine Cellars
Incredible Outdoor Living Rooms and Kitchens
Home Media Centers
Private Verandas
Awe Inspiring Golf Views

Hasentree truly is a resort inspiried community that offers more than just a place to live. Hasentree is a lifestyle!

Hasentree is located off of Highway 98 in Wake Forest NC. With it's close proximity to both Raleigh and Durham this is a prime location for commutes with easy access in either direction.

Currently, the following schools are assigned to Hasentree:

Forest Pines - Elementary
Wakefield - Middle School
Wake Forest Rolesville High School

* Please note that schools are subject to change so it is best to use the Student Assignment Finder which can be found on my website, Wake Forest NC House Chick, under Student Assignment Resources.

If you are interested in more information regarding homes for sale in Hasentree and the lifestyle offered please feel free to give me a call or simply send me an email - I'd be happy to help!

Search for Homes For Sale in Hasentree

"Hasentree Wake Forest NC"

Other Notable Neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC:

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

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!

A Little Stretch Of Highway With A BIG History!

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:39:48 -0400

You know, I pride myself on knowing the "odd" things in life, the little tid-bits that you can throw out at a party - I call them my little "Pearls of Wisdom". For the longest time I use to throw out this one...

Why is it that when you buy a bag of nuts in the store there are never any cashews yet when you buy mixed nuts in a can they are in there? I know, doesn't bother many of you but it did me! Well, had to research and come to find out - cashew shells are highly caustic - the oil can and does burn your skin. There ya go.....

Now, on to the post.....

In doing all of this research for the College teams around here I learned a great deal. Have you heard the song Tobacco Road? It was originally recorded by John Loudermilk. Since the original version there have been re-recordings by numerous artists such as Lou Rawls, Jefferson Airplane, Edgar Winter, Bobby Gentry and MANY others. In 2006 it was featured in the finale of the hit television show American Idol, and was performed on the show by contestant Phil Stacey in 2007 (remember, the bald one with the BIG eyes and sultry voice) and Syesha Mercado in 2008. The songs original intention was autobiographical in that it told the story of growing up in the rough East Durham area of Durham. (Folks, before ANYONE decides to come down on me for that comment - I make peace! This was back in the 60s and I am certainly not making a statement about Durham!)

WELL - Tobacco Road also refers to Interstate 40 which traverses the country from east to west. From Wikipedia here is a little tid-bit that YOU can throw out at the next party.....

Tobacco Road refers to the tobacco-producing area of North Carolina and is often used when referring to sports (particularly basketball) played among rival North Carolina universities. The phrase actually originated as the title of a novel set in Georgia, but it naturally migrated to North Carolina because of the state's primacy in tobacco production.

The usual universities referred to by the moniker "Tobacco Road" are the following:

Duke University (Blue Devils)
North Carolina State University (Wolfpack)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Tar Heels)
Wake Forest University (Demon Deacons)

All of these schools are separated by no more than 25 miles from any of the others with the exception of Wake Forest, which lies an hour and a half drive away via Interstate 40. In fact, all four are no more than six miles from Interstate 40, so the road is sometimes informally known as the "Tobacco Road". The proximity of these schools to one another and the membership of each school in the Atlantic Coast Conference have created a natural rivalry among students and alumni.

Wake Forest University used to be in Wake Forest , North Carolina, just a few miles north of Raleigh, until it moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, about 100 miles west of the Triangle. Since Wake Forest University is in North Carolina, and in the same city as the headquarters of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, a member of the ACC and still near the other three schools, Wake remains in the "Tobacco Road" group. These four universities are also known in the state as the "Big Four".

Pretty cool, huh? And you thought this blog was only about real estate........

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!

Dear Seller - Have You Checked Your Listing OnLine?

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:20:15 -0400

Dear Seller - Have You Checked Your Listing OnLine?

Trust is very important when it comes to selecting your real estate agent! You must know that they have your best interest in mind and that they will go above and beyond to get your property sold for the most amount of money in the least amount of with a minimal amount of stress to you. With that said......

I have seen VERY bad examples lately in the local Multiple Listing Service. Many of the offending examples are:

Pictures - in the local Triangle Multiple Listing Service we are permitted to have 25 photos of a property. (Please know that it is different in other parts of the country) Is YOUR agent doing their part in taking advantage of the multitude of pictures allowed? The amount of pictures isn't even as big a concern as the quality of pictures. I have seen pictures of beds - not bedrooms, toilets - not bathrooms, dining room tables - not dining rooms and refrigerators - not kitchens. There is a HUGE difference!
Descriptions - We have a limited amount of space with which to describe your property in MLS. Is that space being maximized by your agent and drawing attention to the most important features of your property? Lately I have seen some poor examples of descriptions - one of the worst was "Bring Offer". Mind you, this wasn't a short sale or an REO but a Fair Market sale!
Details - Are the measurements in the MLS listing accurate? Is the acreage correct? What about the HOA (if there is one) is the propert information provided?

I agree that it shouldn't be your responsibility to have to verify that this information is correct but, let's face it, mistakes can happen. Perhaps it wasn't your agent that entered the listing in MLS but rather an assistant that had a difficult time reading the handwriting. Maybe at the time the pictures were taken it was a dark and cloudy day and therefore didn't allow adequate sunlight for perfect pictures.

Always know that YOU CAN REQUEST that information be updated, revised or deleted. Your real estate agent should know best how to market your property but it is always wise to double check it online yourself!

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!

A Staging Technique That Neutralizes Those Personal Photos: No More Distracted Buyers!

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:20:13 -0500

I wrote last week about how distracting personal photos can be when it comes to selling your home: Old School Thinking: Personal Photos do NOT Make Your Home Feel More Like HOME While You Are Selling"

I'm in a lot of homes as I consult with Sellers and I do see many beautiful and artfully displayed photos on the wall. Wall Words are very popular right now as well as frames with meaningful sayings that celebrate the family displayed and what is important to them. I see gorgeous black and white photography of families and children. And let's not forget those baby shots that just melt your heart!

But when you are SELLING....as stunning as these pictures and wall displays are, they are DISTRACTING to your Buyers. If you haven't read my last post about this, stop and click the above link to read. It's alright...I'll wait. (whistling...looking around...)

Okay...you're back. You got that now, right?

So... now the BIG question. What do we do with these beautiful photo displays on the walls?

Do we take them all down, patch the wall/re-paint and stare at a blank boring wall?
Do we add a piece of artwork instead?
What if we have A LOT of walls with photos?

Don't despair! There is a "Staging Technique" that works quite well.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to "neutralize" those family photos is to replace the photos inside.

Here's how in 3 Easy Steps:

I tell my clients to go to Google.com and then to "Images". Do a search for "Black and White landscaping/nature/trees/flowers....." whatever you prefer or works in that particular room. And it can be in "color" too if it works better for that space.
Once you find what you're looking for, print it off in the appropriate size.
Put it over the existing photo in the frame and Ta-Dah!....you have a nice, neutral photo.

Here's an example of a past client's homes. The pictures to the right were of their children but temporary replaced with neutral B&W photos.

Remember that there is also a "balance" that needs to be achieved throughout the house when it comes to all those personal photos.

To achieve this balance, follow these guidelines:

There may be some walls that everything will need to come down and you'll patch and re-paint.
There may be a wall that will need a piece of artwork in place of the photos. The photo below is a perfect example. DO NOT attempt adding 11 pictures of "trees" to this collage and calling it a keeper.

If you have a display of photos with mis-matched frames, they DEFINITELY need to come down. DO NOT attempt to replace the photos with the staging technique above using all those different frames. It just won't work.

Which brings me to the last guideline: Be sure that all the frames in your display are the same. This creates a nice, clean simplistic presentation that does not distract from the selling features of the room. The example below is a good one. Now, don't start thinking that the photos in those frames would be fine for selling either. Can you just see the Buyer's getting sucked into how sweet those babies are? Are they looking at your fabulous fireplace and large windows right now? A good replacement photo would be a landscape. You'll see in the far top left hand side the photo looks to be a far off shot of a hillside and trees. If people ARE in it and you can barely make them out...it's fine to keep that one. Landscape of a beautiful hillside, mountain, river etc. go well with the wording too.

Still unsure about creating that balance?

Consider hiring a Home Stager. Stagers offer a Staging Consultation that is a very cost effective solution. The professional House Stager can assist you with creating that balance as well as an overall plan to get your house ready for the market. This takes all the second guessing and stress out of it as you prepare your home.

Happy Staging!

Teresa Meyer is the Owner and Lead Staging Designer at Stage a Star, Cincinnati's Premiere Real Estate Staging company located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Teresa is an ASP, Accredited Staging Professional and CSPE, Certified Staging Professional Elite and Ohio Certified CSPE Trainer to real estate professionals in Cincinnati. She is a member of RESA, Real Estate Staging Association and currently is the State of Ohio RESA President. Teresa can be reached at 513-379-5488 or by email: teresameyer@fuse.net to answer your questions about the staging process and looks forward to assisting you in preparing and staging your house for the Cincinnati real estate market.

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Stage A Star provides home staging services to Hamilton county Ohio, Butler county Ohio, Warren County, Ohio, Clermont county Ohio, West Chester, OH., Liberty Twp, OH., Mason, OH., Fairfield Twp., OH., Monroe, OH., Hyde Park, OH., Loveland, OH., Maineville, OH., Morrow, OH., Deer Park, OH., Indian Hill, OH., and surrounding Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas.

Speechless Sunday - First Night Back from Florida, Who's Happier??

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 07:51:35 -0400

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 Standard Commission Rate to Sell Your Home Is......

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:44:22 -0400

The Standard Commission Rate to Sell Your Home Is......

This could be a very simple post - I could easily say "There isn't one!" and be done with it. However, I have noticed lately that there still seems to be the misconception among the general public that there is a set commission that a Real Estate agent (whether Realtor® or not) charges to sell your home. There simply isn't which leads to another question....

What are discount brokers? Again, a simple answer - I have never met one.

There are, however, two different types of Real Estate companies. Traditional (Full Service as some like to call
themselves) and Limited Service (a more a la carte type menu of services)

Traditional Firms:

•· Market your property to the fullest within the guidelines set forth by their respective company. Such advertising MAY include listing your property in the Multiple Listing Service, Open Houses, internet based advertising, interior and/or exterior flyers for your home, local newspaper ads, email advertising, etc.

•· Full representation* when negotiating contracts, preparing paperwork, working on behalf of the seller, coordinating details of closing such as inspections, appraisals, closing, etc.

•· Marketing materials such as yard signs, websites, etc.

•· Lockbox for your home

•· Some MAY include appointment setting services for showings of your home

By no means is the above list a TOTAL representation of what a Real Estate agent can do for you. It is merely presented to show the difference between the types of companies that are available. Limited Services Firms:

These firms will generally offer services as "add-ons" to help you to sell your home. They may ask for a fee up front (or may not) and offer you services for individual fees such as:

•· Multiple Listing Service

•· Flyers

•· Representation

•· Contract Negotiations

•· Coordinating Closing

•· Advertising (multiple avenues)

When selling your home there are numerous models available to choose from and one is not better than the other depending on a seller's precise situation. Each scenario garners a unique approach. So, while you may have heard that Real Estate agents charge X% to sell your home - it is simply not true.

So, if the end result is ultimately the same - GET YOUR HOUSE SOLD - then the burden rests with the consumer to do their homework and interview many Real Estate agents before trusting one of their biggest transactions to another. Interview Real Estate agents from both fields - Limited Service and Full Service - choose the agent with whom you are comfortable and feel you can trust, confide in and will serve your best interests. Again, each seller is different, each Real Estate firm is different. This is a service based field - as with any other service oriented company there is a broad range of prices for services to pay as well as services offered.

One analogy that comes to mind is servicing my car. I can take my car to the dealer to have services performed. When I leave my car has been washed, I have a flower on my dashboard, the car has been vacuumed and I have had free doughnuts and coffee while waiting. That's if I chose to wait or I could be shuttled to where I need to go until my car is done. OR I can take my car to the local mechanic who I trust and have the same work done by someone that I know and have confidence in. No flower, no coffee and doughnuts, no car wash and vacuum. The same quality work was performed, the same diagnostics were done and I was somewhere that they knew me, cared about me and my circumstances and I was comfortable. You can put all the frills on a service but that doesn't guarantee the quality or professionalism.I hope that you find this information helpful and should you have any questions regarding selling your home you can feel comfortable calling or emailing me any time - I love to answer questions about what I do! And, remember, don't let anyone bully you into thinking that one is better than the other - it all depends on your situation. It may come as a surprise to you after reading this post but I am a Full Service Firm.

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!

Blue Jay Point Park - A Great Place To Spend the Day!

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:29:00 -0400

Blue Jay Point Park has a little bit for absolutely EVERYONE! Between the lake, playgrounds, the baseball fields, soccer fields and trails it is simply a fantastic way to spend an afternoon! My son is taking a field trip to Blue Jay Point Park this week with his school and I am so jealous - he will have a blast!

Typically, we we go, we take advantage of the huge playground that is there but this time decided to explore some of the exhibits they have as well as some trails that we had never hiked before......AMAZING! The Blue Jay Point Center is loaded with educational information about the Falls Lake Watershed, Recycling, the forest, insects, etc....Learned quite a bit about the region that I hadn't know before! Just outside of the center is the park's garden. It is loaded with fresh herbs, flowers and a pond filled with salamanders and other water insects. It was truly beautiful!

Many of the trails are short but can join with others for longer hikes if you like. They are all well planned and natural beauty is endless! My favorite trail is the Laurel Loop Trail that has a spur off of it that leads you directly to the lake - breathtaking views!

I hope that you enjoy some of the photos I captured in the past - if you get the chance you should plan a whole day at the park. In addition to the trails, nature center and playground they also have a softball field, soccer fields, picnic tables and grills - it is a great place to "be quiet" and enjoy some time outside....I know that we do!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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!