Celebrate the New Year in Wake Forest NC!

Wake Forest NC is hosting it's Second Annual First Light Wake Forest on December 31, 2009 starting at 7pm.

This family friendly, alcohol-free celebration is produced by Wake Forest's very own Brian Pate with Brian Pate Entertainment and I promise you....you won't want to miss this!

I will be posting the schedule of events a little later in the week but for a sneak peek:

• Children's Fireworks Extravaganza (early)
• Facepainting
• Horseback Riding
• Inflatable Rides
• Climbing Wall
• Adult Firewords Extravaganza (late)
• LIVE MUSIC by Sleeping Booty
• DJ Brian Pate

Admission is FREE and the event will take place along South White Street in Historic Downtown Wake Forest NC. Again, the celebration starts at 7pm and ends sometime in 2010! :)

sausage ball anyone?

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view from the couch.....

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Happy Holidaze from the Budster.....

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@kbloemendaal - can u believe it? 7:40AM. Main and Capital!

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Wake Forest NC Christmas Parade - December 12, 2009

Don't forget - The Wake Forest NC Christmas Parade is this

Saturday, December 12th starting at 1:00pm!!!

Get there early and scope out your prime seat for what I am sure will be the best Christmas Parade yet! My family never misses this. Load up the thermos' with hot chocolate and enjoy the festivites.

This year's parade will have clowns, floats, antique autos, local marching bands, and what's that guys name again? Oh, right - SANTA CLAUS!!!!!

While downtown don't forget to explore all the shops in historic Wake Forest NC. Great gift shops and delicious restaurants abound - have fun!

I hope to see you there this year - just remember, bundle up and take blankets or chairs to sit on.

Life in Wake Forest NC is certainly full swing into the Holiday Season!

monorail cat......

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just kinda random....@ neighbors preparing float 4 parade - gorgeous day!

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only pure goodness can come from this rich trinity!!!!

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For my wonderful friend Chad Kirk....the G version

If it’s a Wake Forest home you seek

Then come on down and let’s take a peek

While the economy is lackluster

Your cahones you should muster….

A one way NC trip you request

And that I can be sure you’ll be blessed

Your sister trusted me with her search

So take the leap and get off your perch

A house with a basement, a home with a history

To me you see it’s no great mystery

Instead of a searching with a feeble mouse click

All you had to do was call the Wake Forest House Chick

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definitely in the house this year!

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The faces of WINNERS!

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um, is this something I need? Lady Monkey Butt - could be a rap song!

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a mighty fine reason to stop off @ Carolina Ale House in Wake Forest.....

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A quote to live by.....

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Go New Orleans Saints! Go Drew Brees! WOO-HOO!

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BRING IT - I am ready!

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I want to be this cat! R there bones in there?

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just takin a stroll in the hood.....

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punk kid is so gonna rock it today! Go Rolesville Blue Devils!!!!

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ho.....really? It's ONLY Halloween

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what s he?

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tells it like it is.... #justsayin

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my own little flamingo to get me thru the day! Makes market stats for Wake Forest NC SO much easier to do...

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A Little Too Comfy for Football Practice!

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Which Side? John Baldwin vs Bath NC

Incredibly interesting article regarding a developer from the Raleigh NC area that has moved to a quaint, historic hamlet on the North Carolina coast. I am familiar with John Baldwin and his portfolio of estates in the Raleigh NC area – some of you are as well! Victoria Park in Rosemont in Wakefield Plantation? Surely that rings a bell for some of you….

While I am most definitely “for” economic stability in small towns and “keeping in local” I can’t condone changing the landscape of a location that has preserved a way of life and atmosphere for so many years. Businesses are vital for an area to retain the local workforce and keep money flowing into the local economy but at what cost?

Obviously, I have not attended any of these meetings and I am just on the outside looking in basing an initial opinion on an article. However, I do know some of the story from the Wakefield Plantation side of the equation…… just saying.

Please, take a moment and read the article – what are your thoughts? I know developers that specialize in preserving historic elements and I don’t think they would approve.

Bath fights developer for its soul - Local - The Sun News

100 New Castle Court Youngsville NC

Amazing Deal on Cape Code styled home for sale in Youngsville NC! 1224 sqft, .7 acre, first floor master and so much more! $130,000.00 - Come see!

Do Foreclosures Count as Comps When Pricing My Home? YES!!

One thing that I always bring with me to a Listing Appointment is, of course, a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) to show the potential sellers what is currently happening in their area. The list incorporates current ACTIVE listings, any PENDING listings in the neighborhood and recent SOLDS in the neighborhood.

These last few month have show a dramatic increase in the SOLDS column of foreclosed homes. I am always faced with disheartened sellers who feel that their home is "automatically" better since it is not a foreclosure - surely it should be worth more that "those" homes.

Well, please read my good friend JL Boney's post regarding foreclosures and the effect they have on your home. Like JL has said, you may not want to hear it but it is the T R U T H.

Thanks JL for this enlightening and straightforward post!

Life in Wake Forest NC - educated sellers will prevail in today's market!

Via JL Boney, III Columbia, SC Real Estate (Russell and Jeffcoat):

So you've decided to sell your house and you are well aware of the fact that homes for sale in your community have involved foreclosed properties. All those homes that sold in the past 6 months were bank owned and they weren't sold by an individual, but instead, they were sold by those evil banks that got us into this mess in the first place. Not only did the Cretans foreclose on the homes and kick out homeowners, but now they step in and undercut the prices of other sellers and steal their buyers. But we don't have to price our house the way the bank does, because ours is not a foreclosure, so we really don't have to worry about because ours is worth more.

Well welcome to the harsh reality of what I like to refer to as the truth. It's not always a fun thing, but you have to face it if you want to be successful in today's market. All those foreclosed properties in your community do affect your home. They do lower the market value in a lot of cases, because the banks do lower their prices to aggressively market their properties. As a result, the market value of comparable properties like yours does change.

I know that's not at all what you wanted to hear. In fact I didn't really want to say it, but it needed to be said. You can't ignore the facts.

The facts are unfortunately something that we all have to face and foreclosures and bank owned properties are a fact of life today. They are your competition and you do have to price your house for sale in accordance with the current market value for your community.

Another horrible fact to face is that pricing is one of the most important things to focus on when selling a house. Having a house that's in great condition is also extremely important, but if you find yourself overpriced by ten or twenty thousand dollars, you don't stand a chance of moving anytime soon. So while you may be able to get a little more for your house due to it's better condition, you may want to lose the theory that your house isn'tt affected by foreclosures. Unfortunately, we all are, and we just have to accept it and move on.

Dan Aykroyd Promotes Crystal Head Vodka at 2 stops in Raleigh NC

For those of you interested in Dan Aykroyd or Vodka this will interest you! I am not sure where he will be in Raleigh NC since it is not indicated in the article. If you go, have fun and get an autograph!

Dan Aykroyd promotes vodka at 2 stops in NC :: WRAL.com

'Angry Neighbors With Paintball Guns' amazed at reaction :: WRAL.com

'Angry Neighbors With Paintball Guns' amazed at reaction :: WRAL.com

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Upset with town, Cary man spray-paints own home :: WRAL.com

Upset with town, Cary man spray-paints own home :: WRAL.com

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A1 and Steak - Made to be Together

Alright guys! Local guy wrote a song for an A1 contest! Support him - this is brilliant!!!!!

Revisit Carriage Oaks - Price Adjustment!

Revisit Kensington Manor - New Price! 4bd/3.5bt, 3c Gar and POOL!

Wake County Schools - Early Departure EVERY Wednesday!

Beginning this 2009-2010 school year, all Wake County Schools will have Early Departure EVERY Wednesday. Early Departure is not to be confused with the already scheduled Early Release days that are built into the school calendar.

Early Departure (ED) was created to provide the teachers with additional time to colloborate and discuss ways to improve individual student performance. ALL Wake County students will be released one (1) hour early on Early Departure Wednesdays.

Early Release (ER)is dedicated to providing teachers with time for PLC (Professional Learning Community). ALL Wake County students will be released 2.5 hours early on Early Release Wednesdays.

For a copy of the ER and ED days please click here.

A special note to all of my blog subscribers that have kids in the YEAR ROUND schedule - SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW!

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Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

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Amazing Custom Home in Wakefield Plantation

Historic Beauty in Franklinton

Stunning Home - Impressive Details

Milwaukee Real Estate News: Haunted Real Estate

Milwaukee Real Estate News: Haunted Real Estate

Looking For Foreclosures in Wake Forest and North Raleigh?

My weekly foreclosure report for Wake Forest and North Raleigh has been updated on my website. Be sure to visit Leesa Finley, Circa Properties or Historic Wake Forest to sign up for weekly reminders!

If you are seeking foreclosures in another area you can email me or call me and I will be happy to prepare a custom search for you!Remember, when searching for information about Wake Forest, NC there is only one source!

Raleigh NC Rental Property Owners Now Required to Register

Beginning March 1, 2009, all rental property owners will be required to register their rental properties under Article H: of the City of Raleigh Code. Properties will then need to renew annually during the same time period. March 1 - April 30.

This rental registration will create a database that will promote responsible management, assist in providing a safe habitat for residents and neighbors of rental dwellings, safeguard property values and expedite repair of residential housing accommodations. The database may also be used to improve contact in case of emergency by Police, Fire, EMS or Inspections.

The fee for registration is $30.00 for the first unit on the property and then $10 per unit for each additional on the same parcel. Those who do not register their rental units could face fines up to $2000 PER MONTH.

An interesting article on WRAL.com illistrates several counterpoints to the program. Councilman Philip Isley feels the program is a way to generate revenue while Mayor Meeker claims the amount is minimal and isn't about generating revenue. The City stands to generate as much as $750,000 per year due to the program.
If you are a rental property owner you must register between March 1 - April 30, 2009. Please visit the City of Raleigh Rental Dwellling Registration for more information and access to online registration.