Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate and Area Info

It is that time! The Wake Forest NC Town Advisory Boards are accepting applications for vacant seats! This is a wonderful opportunity for Wake Forest NC residents to help shape, guide and support Wake Forest NC!

The local boards were established to give residents input in to what happens in Wake Forest NC and to advise the Board of Commissioners on matters that affect the town and it's residents.

Applications are being accepted through November 18, 2009 for vacant seats. Each of the following Boards has 3 seats available unless where noted:

• Cemetary
• Greenway
• Historic Preservation
• Human Relations
• Planning
• Recreation
• Senior Center
• Urban Forestry
• Board of Adjustment (Only 1 seat open)

The latest Housing Statistics and Market Report are available for Wake Forest NC and I thought it would be an ideal time to share them with you!  I have a few graphs to show where we are now in 2009 and where we have come from.  The most interesting graph, which I consider a BENCHMARK, is eye-opening, to say the least, to Home Sellers in the Wake Forest NC area.

First up is the graph depicting the New Residential Listings in Wake Forest NC for 2008 vs. 2009.  There has been a 30% decrease in the number of Home Listings in Wake Forest NC overall.  In many instances that could be a very good thing for home sellers in Wake Forest NC - much less competition in the market!  

The next graph illustrates the Year To Date for Closings in Wake Forest NC.  Again, we see a decline.  A 30.5% decline to be precise.  While the decrease in Closed Sales in Wake Forest NC could quite possibly be tandem with New Listings in Wake Forest NC I happen to think...........

the next graph is the most telling......   The Median Sales Price in Wake Forest NC has declined 13.6%.  That is a significant decline.  We are NOT in a market of 2005 - the real estate market has changed!  Home Prices in Wake Forest NC are reflecting a trend to a more sustainable level.  More thoughts after the graph.....

So many times I, personally, have been face to face with a Home Seller in Wake Forest NC and have had to review comparables with them.  More often then not they are disheartened.  Numbers don't lie.  While there may be a personal attachment to the home, precious memories, et cetera, it just isn't going to make your home worth any more than your neighbors down the street.  And for Pete's sake, please stop watching HGTV - Granite Countertops will NEVER net you what they show you on TV.  

In today's market, 2009 (soon to be 2010) you have to be aggressive with pricing!  It may not be what you want to hear but if you want to sell that house it's realistic!  

If you are currently thinking of selling your home in the Wake Forest NC area then please give me a call!  I can show you what has happened in your neighborhood and help you to set a realistic goal!  I am Leesa Finley, I am the Wake Forest NC House Chick and I CAN sell your house!  

The new Foreclosures Report for the Wake Forest NC area has just been uploaded to my website!

There is a wide variety of styles, price points and floorplans to fit any family profile! After personally inspecting many of the Foreclosures on this report I can say that there are some fabulous homes in great condition just waiting for new owners.

If you are on the market for a new home and would like more information regarding the Wake Forest NC area you should check out my website! If has local area information regarding schools, things to do, places to visit, and of course, homes for sale in Wake Forest NC. There is a page dedicated to Foreclosures that can help you see what is currently available as well as explain a little better the terminology associated with Foreclosures and Short Sales.

On the market for a Historic Home in Wake Forest NC? You might want to check out What's YOUR Circa?
A little more info regarding the Wake Forest NC area? Life in Wake Forest NC and Wake Forest NC - Small Town with Big Outllook will definitely help!

Anyway you look at it you should call a Wake Forest NC resident for all of your real estate needs! My family lives here, we work here and we play here - I KNOW the Wake Forest NC real estate market!

Okay - who has a CANDY BUZZ???? Admit it - you asked for the Mom or Dad Tax, right? This weekend was full throttle in Wake Forest NC and this coming week will be just as busy! The whole town is gearing up for the upcoming Festivities that surround Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season - there are still some great volunteer opportunities available as well.

Check out all the pretty neat events coming up this week and stay on the lookout for some Special Announcements! Life in Wake Forest NC just keeps on rolling.....

From the Town of Wake Forest NC website:

Lighthouse Christian Homeschool Association Monthly Parent Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 3; 7 pm - 9 pm
Wakefield Baptist Church, 13209 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Our November parent meeting will include a discussion of co-operative learning, and how it can enrich your homeschool experience. We meet on the 1st Tuesday night of every month. Visitors are welcome. www.lighhousehsa.com

Gold Rush at Wilton Elementary School
Thursday, Nov. 5; 1 pm - 7:30 pm (drop in)
Wilton Elementary School
We are holding our 2nd Gold Rush Fundraiser on Nov. 5. Stop into the school's teachers lounge anytime between 1 pm and 7:30 pm. Bring in any gold or silver jewelry that you would like to sell - old, broken, tangled, single earrings, etc. and receive cash. It's a great way to earn holiday money! The jewelry will be weighed and processed by professionals. An offer will be made to you and you can accept and get cash or you can reject and keep your jewelry. No strings attached. As a bonus for the school, Wilton Elementary will receive 12% of the amount of gold sold. The average person at the first Gold Rush Fundraiser walked away with several hundred dollars cash! Don't miss this opportunity to sell your old, unwanted, broken jewelry and earn cash while helping our school! Contact Kim Panciera at kpanciera@nc.rr.com for more information.

Wake Forest Woman's Club Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 5; 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave
Refreshments will be served and guests are welcome. For more information, call membership chair Quinn Berardinelli at (919) 761-1646.

Wake Forest Farmers' Market

Head to Toe Ladies Expo 2009
Saturday, Nov. 7; 9 am - 2 pm
Bodyworks for Ladies, 1976 S. Main St., Wake Forest
Plan a day with the ladies to attend this unique event focused on women's health, beauty, fashion, and education. Enjoy shopping and meet local vendors and exhibitors. Prize drawings every half-hour! In addition to this unique shopping experience, you will also be able to listen and learn from local experts! At 10 am, learn about feet, footwear, and how to prevent injuries from Ellie Penner, owner of Sole Dimensions. At 10:30, meet Personal Chef Laurel whose delicious and nutritious recipes are sure to get you back on track. At 11, Dr. Teresa Neal, founder of BioDermatique, teaches about Parabens in cosmetics. At 11:30, visit with Jockey representative Sallie Matlock, who will introduce a new line of active wear. On-going demonstrations include: Women's Self Defense by certified trainer, Deborah Brooks, Kickboxing by certified trainer Julie Lively, and jazzercise by certified instructor Dee Kaltenbach. (919) 562-3488 dana@bodyworksforladies.net

17th Annual Craft & Bake Sale
Saturday, Nov. 7; 9 am - 3 pm
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Free admission and open to the public. Visit www.sebts.edu/connectingpoint for more information.

Wake County Affordable Housing Project: Wake Forest Design Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 7; 10 am - 3 pm
Wake Forest Town Hall, 401 Elm Ave.
The Wake County Affordable Housing and Design Project is a research and design project conducted by the faculty and graduate students from the School of Architecture at NC State University. The project will include research on housing needs in Wake County, national and international best practices of affordable housing, and the design of a range of affordable housing models. Issues such as environmental, social and cultural sustainability will be intrinsic to the project. Mixed-use, mixed-income, and transit-oriented development will also be incorporated. The project will include a number of design workshops conducted at designated plot study towns. The Wake Forest Design Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, November 7. Through interactive discussion and design exercises, important perspectives and information will be gathered that will guide the subsequent design and research of the project. Lunch will be provided.

Wake Forest Library 13th Birthday Party
Saturday, Nov. 7; 11 am
Wake Forest Library, 400 E. Holding Ave.
The Friends of the Wake County Library will sponsor and host this annual celebration of the Wake Forest Community Library's birthday. Flow Circus Variety Arts will perform a program for the family entitled "Read Yourself Silly." Paul Miller of Flow Circus will tell the story of how a trip to the circus inspired him to visit the library. The program will include juggling, magic, and balloon sculpting. The winning ticket for the Friends of the Library raffle of an autographed copy of "Connections...100 Years of Wake Forest History" will be drawn, followed by birthday cake. The party is free and open to the public; no registration is necessary. For more information, call the Wake Forest Community Library at (919) 554-8498.

Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
Sunday, Nov. 8; 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.

Annual Meeting of the Birthplace Society
Sunday, Nov. 8; 3 pm
Appleby Hall, Campus of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Refreshments will be served at 2:30 pm. The business meeting and program begin at 3 pm with a sneak peek of the new building held immediately following the program. For additional information, contact Museum Director Ed Morris at morrisce@wfu.edu or call (919) 556-2911

Lemon juice can be used for so many different situations around the home! Because of lemons acidity they are perfect for some tough cleaning jobs and are somewhat antiseptic and antibacterial. Here are some great ideas for using lemon juice around the house:

• If you have light colored countertops and they become stained with kool-aid, wine, food stains, etc just pour a little lemon juice on the stain and let stand for a few minutes. After only a few minutes sprinkle some baking soda on the spot and scrub - the stain will disappear. **I have personally tried this on a home I had listed that had a small cigarette burn/stain on a counter and IT WORKED! Now, it wasn't a deep and nasty stain but a stubborn one nonetheless.
• Use a fresh cut lemon to clean your copper pots and copper fixtures! Just cut a lemon into wedges or halves and rub over the copper - it removes spots FAST!
• Add some lemon juice to vinegar and place in a spray bottle - you have a fantastic everyday cleaner!
• GARBAGE DISPOSALS! I am ALWAYS throwing lemons down my garbage disposal! Not only does the juice of the lemon help deoderize the disposal bit the rinds help to sharpen the blades.

Live well, Live Green and Choose to Live in Wake Forest NC! ;)