Wake Forest is the perfect place if you are a horse lover and enjoy riding!  There are a few subdivisions sprinkled throughout that allow you to have your horses at home.  Palomino Gaits is one subdivision that allows horses on SOME lots.  If you are interested please be sure to check restrictions regarding lot size and permission of horses.  Wakefield Estates also has some estate homes that allow for horses. If you are looking for professional stables and farms there are two worthy places to mention! Equis Run Farm is beautifully situated on a very quiet and private 20 acres of land, Equis Run Farm offers a tranquil, serene, and nurturing environment.  They also have access to trails throughout the 50+ acres of woodlands that surround it.  It is a great place to board your horse.  Some... 03/13/2008

Look at the calendar, here comes spring. Wake Forest is especially beautiful in the spring. I've already noticed the trees blooming. It will not be long before the plants pop some color.If this is your first spring in lovely Wake Forest, you are in for a treat. Take a stroll down North Main Street, between the old stately homes and the splendid plants and trees you'll be blown away.If you've been here for many springs, like me, don't take our gorgeous town for granted. When you visit Wake Forest during the spring, you'll definately want to make it your home.I don't know about you, but I get so excited as winter comes to a close. Spring training is in the air. Soon we'll be able to catch a Durham Bulls game, watch the NCAA tourney, walk in warm sunshine or listen to an outdoor concert.Th... 03/11/2008

More good news! The real estate market in Wake Forest is much better than the national market. Here are a couple of things to remember:                                 1. Real Estate is a local market.                                                      What that means is that your local economy is important as to the condition of the local                                         market.                                   2. Affordibilty Matters.                                         Real estate is really impacted by affordabilty. If homes get too far out of reach for                                         buyers, then there must be a market correction in price.                                   3. Nationally, mortgage money is a consideration because it impacts demand.              ... 03/10/2008

Historic Downtown Wake Forest comes alive the second Friday of Every Month for Art After Hours!  Retail stores will be open until 9pm - with such a great selection of shops it may be difficult to visit them all.  For some great suggestions please visit Come Explore My Wake Forest! An Example of Exemplary Planning... This month's Artist's Reception and Wine Tasting at The Cotton Company will feature oil paint artist Yuhuei Pierce.  This artist's stunning paintings will be on display through April 6th.    I hope you get the opportunity to get to Historic Downtown Wake Forest March 14th to discover all there is to offer........Great fun, great food and great art..... Come Explore My Back Yard! 03/09/2008

This week in Wake Forest is brimming with activities!  Spring is almost here, Easter is right around the corner and the level of outdoor fun is ramping up! Just a few of the activites scheduled for this week are: Wake Forest Kid's Carnival - If you missed my post on this please check it out!  OUTRAGEOUS FUN! Easter Egg Hunt Arbor Day Celebration Art After Hours and so much more..... For more details and contact information please read on..... Carnival for the KidsTuesday, March 11 - Sunday, March 16Wake Forest Home Depot Parking LotThe Wake Forest Police Department's annual "Carnival for the Kids" will be held Tuesday, March 11 through Sunday, March 16 at the Wake Forest Home Depot parking lot. There will be plenty of rides, games, food and fun for all ages. The Carnival will be open fr... 03/09/2008

Every year The Wake Forest Police Department holds a "Kid's Carnival"!  All the funds raised support The Wake Forest Police Department's youth programs which include: D.A.R.E. program Police Explorer Program - more information on this program in upcoming post! We went last year to the carnival and it was so much fun!  There are games, rides and very yummy carnival food like funnel cakes, hot dogs, snowcones and much, much more!  This years Carnival will be held from March 11th - 16th.  Hours will be 5pm - 10pm Tuesday through Friday, Saturday from 1pm - 10pm and on Sunday from 1pm-8pm.  The carnival will be held in the parking lot of the Home Depot - plenty of room!   There is an "unlimited ride" bracelet available for purchase for $15 and is only "useable" Tuesday and Saturday afternoo... 03/08/2008

At The Fischetti Group we strive to surround ourselves with the best, leaders in the profession, people who are outstanding and that is what we are looking for as we consider team members for a couple of new projects we are working on.To be considered, you must "play well with others". We whole-heartedly understand that in order for all of us to succeed we must work together, builders, sales force, developer, Realtor community and customers. Failure to do so will negatively impact us all.Second, your product should be a fit for the community.Third, you should have a positive mindset. We value each of our team members too greatly to have them negatively impacted by a negative attitude.Fourth, you should want to make money. Like the line from Jerry McGuire "Show me the money". If you have... 03/06/2008

There are some spectacular spots for camping in the Carolinas from the mountains to the beaches and the many lakes that dot this breathtaking state!  A few that are close to Wake Forest are just getting ready to open up for the season.....March 15th Both sites in this post are located on the perimeter of Falls Lake.  Shinleaf: Shinleaf is a back to basics type of destination.  Of all of the site located around Falls Lake, Shinleaf has the least amenities.  There is a two-mile portion of the Mountains-To-Sea Trailthat pretty much follows the shore line at Shinleaf.  There are 89 campsites thoughtfully sited in the woods well away from the parking lot (typically a quarter-mile) and each is equipped with a tent pad, picnic table and a grill. Mulch toilets and drinking water are located wit... 03/05/2008

SWEET, RIPE STRAWBERRIES ARE COMING YOUR WAY!!!!! March is the beginning of the strawberry season here in North Carolina and lasts until about mid-June.  North Carolina ranks fourth in the US for strawberry production and they are quite simply some of the best you have ever had!!!  Almost all of the fruit produced in NC is sold for fresh market here in the state in the form of "pick-your-own" fields, farmers markets, local roadside stands and also within grocery stores.  Others in the top four produce strictly for shipping or processing. Strawberry "pickin"usually lasts anywhere from 5 weeks to 8 weeks depending on the weather.  Last year I went to pick some at Vollmer Farm (my FAVORITE farm) and they had to close early due to the heat!  May is officially "Strawberry Month" in North Car... 03/05/2008

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is very concerned about the mortgage mess and the credit crisis. The escalating foreclosures are are serious problem causing wide spread negativity throughout the financial markets.Speaking to a banking industry group in Orlando, Florida Bernanke said, "The calls for a vigorous response." According to the Fed Chairman this problem is likely to last a while longer.Because of the rapid rise in foreclosures there is a further pressure on housing prices, without housing price increases the mortgage and foreclosure crisis is harder to overcome. If prices escalate, then strapped borrowers will be able to sell their home, pay off the mortgage and the market corrects. But if prices weaken the situation weakens more and faster.What can you do?1. Avoid debt. ... 03/04/2008

Most everyone has heard or seen something relating to the increase in foreclosures and short sales. First, let me try to briefly explain short sales. A short sale is when the proceeds of the sale fall short of the mortgage company's pay-off. The lender agrees to take less than the full amount to get the loan off the books without having to go through the cost of foreclosing on the home owner.One reason there is a rise is because of the law passed saying the I.R.S. can no longer figure the "short" amount of a loan pay off as income that is taxable. It used to be if there was a write off of your loan in the amount of $60,000 and you were in a 25% tax bracket the I.R.S. said you owed them $15,000. Well now people no longer have that to worry about; and the fact that they didn't really have... 03/03/2008

Starting tomorrow, March 4th and running through March 13th, Three Oaks Photography at The Factory will have $30.00 Quick Set Sessions available with LIVE Easter Bunnies!  Appointments are limited so you may want to call NOW to reserve your session!  Three Oaks Photography does STUNNING work!  Even if you can't make it for the live Easter Bunnies you should check them out for other professional photography needs such as wedding, children's photos, family portraits, etc.  You will not be disappointed! 03/02/2008

Dance Baby Dance had a phenomenal turnout at their last event at The Factory!  When I blogged about it before I knew it would be popular but it went way beyond..... If you missed the first event then you certainly want to schedule some time for the upcoming Dance Baby Dance: The Baby Strikes Back!  Children up to 10 years old are invited to "get down" with their parents and just have a great time!  In addition to the crazy dance jam  admission also includes healthy snacks and drinks, face painting, stroller parking, a chill out lounge, additional dance instructors (so the old folks can get a break!) and a full disco/club atmosphere with all the sounds and lights! Again, the event will be held at The Factory with a portion of the proceeds going to PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) at ... 03/02/2008

The Town of Wake Forest has an extremely comprehensive website with THE most up to date community calendar around.  Weekly, I publish the event for the upcoming week.  I have tried 5 times unsuccesfully this morning to make that regular post and I simply can not.  There are many exciting events coming out this week so if you are interested please be sure to visit the calendar to view the dates and times.  Hopefully next week the bug will be fixed and it will be less clicks for you to get where you need to go!!!! 03/01/2008

We had our first Community Seminar on Thursday night and it was a success. I want to thank the staff at the Hampton Inn in Wake Forest, the room was great and your service top-notch. We'll be back. Besides the facility the speakers were awesome and informative. Constance, a local home stager spoke and shared tips and ideas that were extremely helpful. The before and after pictures were amazing. Kudos to Patty, a home warranty rep, she did an excellent job explaining the ins and outs of her product, everyone should probably take advantage of her service. Bravo! Bravo to Lynn, co-owner of a local mortgage company, her innovative ideas to use loan terms as a selling feature were outdtanding. Her passion came through during her presentation. If you missed the first one you definately will n... 03/01/2008

Wow, our market is very exciting. Currently intrest rates are low, prices are affordable, there is inventory available and there are BOTH buyers and sellers in the market place, clearly these are all positives. Therefore, we should have a positive mindset. The great thing about our business is there is no limit. Regardless of the market conditions we have an opportunity to survive and thrive. Take it! Don't grumble and complain. Remember Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own "There's no crying in baseball"; well there's no crying in real estate either. If you are currently a little down, here a are couple of things that will change your attitude:                1. Go volunteer and help someone less fortunate than you.                2. Go for a walk outside, exercise regularly and get some... 03/01/2008

Yes, we all remember our first time..... I have (had) this wonderful buyer that lives (lived) in Florida.  I had met her the beginning of December.  She would come to Wake Forest every other weekend and we would get together to look at homes.  She had a "set in stone" limit of what she wanted to spend.  I promised her I would never go over it and I didn't.  Well, after the third time that we were together we both were getting a little disappointed in that we weren't finding "that" house.  Mind you, cumulative, we had only looked at maybe 6 homes.  One morning. I was running my normal search and a home in the subdivision she wanted to be in popped up.  It had just reduced making it line right up with her needs and wants.  I grabbed the camera and headed over.  I walked in the door (vacan... 02/29/2008

Wow - why didn't I think of that? The Cotton Company sincerely values it patrons and their opinions and THEY LISTEN!  They are always open for feedback and suggestions.  How do I know?  Here is the proof! You asked for it - they're back!  The Cotton Company offers Mimosa Monday every, you guessed it - MONDAY from 10am - 1pm.  For those of you not familiar with The Cotton Company you should check out a previous post of mine - it is a wonderful place to find those unique gifts, visit artist's studios and grab a bite to eat!  Happy shopping and Happy Mondays!  02/28/2008

Everyone hears the constant drumbeat of negative news about real estate, yet it is almost never mentioned that all real estate markets are local. Our local market is NOT Florida, Washington,D.C., Las Vegas, California or Arizona. Our market has out-performed many markets because of strong local economy and because our prices have seen reasonable inflation over the years, not wild price increases that need major correction. Even though our local conditions are favorable, the national issues have hurt us somewhat. With the credit crisis brings less money available to potential homebuyers which reduces the number of buyers and as demand goes down and supply rises...well you know what happens. Besides that and the increase in foreclosures, the fact that out of town buyers can't sell their h... 02/27/2008

A great seminar will be held Thursday 2/28/08 at the Hampton Inn in Wake Forest at 7 pm. The topic is selling your home in today's market. The speakers will be a home stager, she will discuss the ins and outs of home staging and how it cannot benefit a seller and increase the seller's bottom line. In addition to the home stager, there will be a representative from a home warranty firm who will discuss how warranties can shorten the days on market and increase a seller's profit. Besides those two outstanding speakers there will be an owner from a local mortgage company to discuss how loan incentives draw traffic and offers to your home. How an investment of $5000 can increase your bottom line by $10,000, 15,000 and more. Finanlly we have an author, speaker, business owner and real estate... 02/27/2008