I recently posted an article regarding a beautiful historic home in Wake Forest NC that is on the foreclosure list and you can see that post here!

Just recently, the price of the historic home was adjusted to just $214,900.00.  This home has been updated and has a formal living room, formal dining room, updated kitchen and so much more! 

If you would like more information regarding this home please feel free to call me at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email - I would be glad to help!

I recently posted an article regarding Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC and the surround area for Home Buyers wanting to use the SmartBuy Program through Freddie Mac. 

Here is a brief overview of the program:

• 2 year HomeProtect Warranty
• Up to 3.5% of Closing Costs PAID
• HomeProtect Appliance Discount (Up to 30% savings on appliances)

What was NOT mentioned in the original post were the UNBELIEVABLE historic properties for sale in Louisburg NC!  Here are a few details:

• Historic District
  • circa 1901
  • 6000 sq ft
  • 5 bedroom / 4 bath
  • .83 acre
  • $149,900
• Historic District
  • circa 1897
  • 4323 sq ft
  • 4 bedroom / 4 bath
  • 1.88 acre
  • $209,900

These historic gems are amazing!  For more information regarding these homes or any historic home in the Wake Forest NC area please give me a call at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email - I would be delighted to help!

I was searching to see what the oldest homes were that are for sale in the Raleigh NC area and I was torn between two homes.  Please understand I am NOT saying this is the oldest home in the area but it is currently the oldest home available for sale.

The home I chose is 321 W. Margaret Lane in Hillsborough NC.  (circa 1800) The reason for the hesitation to include this home is that it was originally a 400 square foot two room kitchen home that has been added on to.  However, seeing that this historic homes was the 2009 Historic Preservation Winner and viewing the pictures and reading of all of the time and effort that went into the painstaking saving of this landmark I decided it was extremely worthy and was indeed the oldest home currently on the market in my area of North Carolina.

This home, which was originally a “kitchen house”  is situated on the Eno River and has simply breathtaking views from its screened porch and deck of both the Eno River and nature!  Some of the remarkable features of this home are:

• Built late 1700’s-1800
• 2626 square feet
• 608 square feet of porches and decks
• Oak Floors
• Vintage lighting
• Viking appliances
• 2 master suites
• .5 acre

This stunning example of restoration, preservation and rehabilitation is currently available for sale at $692,500.00.  If you would like more information on this home, some pictures or would like to set up a private preview please feel free to call me at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email.

Wake Forest NC is a small town right outside of Raleigh NC with a rich, historic background!  Many people to this day still confuse the town of Wake Forest with where the Wake Forest University is located.  Unfortunately, that is not the case.  The University moved to its current location in Winston-Salem, NC back in 1956 but that’s another blog post altogether.

I am always receiving phone calls and email from buyers seeking a historic property in the Wake Forest NC Historic District.  Well, that can be tricky – we have several!  Wake Forest NC actually as three Historic Districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Glen Royall Mill Village Historic District – this area was included on the National Register in 1999.  Glen Royall Mill Village has an extremely fascinating history which again, is for another blog post.
• Wake Forest Downtown Historic District – this area was included on the National Register in 2002.  Comprised mainly of commercial opportunities the area is beautiful!  Wake Forest NC has certainly done a phenomenal job of building the foot traffic in its retail downtown historic district.
• Wake Forest Historic District – this residential area was included on the National Register in 2003 and has some of the most beautiful historic homes I have EVER seen!

It’s also worth noting that the Town of Wake Forest NC has two designated landmark properties:

• I.O. Jones House – circa 1903
• Battle-Purnell House – circa 1802

So, the next time you are thinking of searching for historic property in Wake Forest NC be sure to let me know which district you are interested in.  For more local information regarding the Historic Districts, some of the Historic Properties for Sale and general Wake Forest NC information feel free to give me a call at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email.

You can also visit my website, Wake Forest NC House Chick, for a slideshow of some of the residential historic properties and more information regarding Life in Wake Forest NC and what it has to offer.

Every week I upload an updated Foreclosure Report to my website and it is available for download for FREE!  There is one home on the list that I would love to showcase – it is a Circa 1925 home located in Historic Wake Forest NC and is a true gem!

314 S. Main Street, Wake Forest NC – $220,900.00

• Appx. 2400 sq ft
• 3 bedrooms / 2.5 baths
• Formal Dining Room
• Updated Kitchen
• Hardwood Floors
• Formal Living Room
• Overlooks Park
• Deck
• Fenced Yard
• Effective age 2000

Rich in detail and history and waiting for new owner!  If you would like more information regarding 314 S. Main Street in Wake Forest NC or would like some pictures please feel free to give me a call at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email!

Historic Properties are special! While they may be for sale and listed with a conventional Broker there are other sites available that maximize their importance and showcase them beautifully. Through the years I have become quite familiar with most of those sites and thought it would be a good idea to share them with you! Here are some of my favorites:

• Historic Properties and Old Houses For Sale
• Old Houses
• Historic Property for Sale Directory
• Historic Homes Marketplace
• American Treasures
• Preservation Nation
• Historic For Sale

While the above list is NOT all-inclusive it is a great way to start your search.  However, if you are searching in the North Carolina area the BEST place to start would be with me!  I am quite familiar with most historic sites in North Carolina and have spent many weekends driving and exploring the small towns of North Carolina, their history and touring their beautiful historic districts.  Wake Forest NC is one of those gems in North Carolina!  We have an incredible residential historic district!  Wake Forest NC is rich in history which I would be happy to share!   In addition, the historic downtown Wake Forest NC business district is vibrant and very much alive!  There are always opportunities popping up to purchase a historic building in historic downtown Wake Forest NC and space is available for lease as well!  If you are interested in what might be available in either residential or commercial please feel free to give me a call at 919-649-6128 or send me an email - I would be happy to share my Wake Forest NC with you!

To learn more about Wake Forest NC please be sure to visit www.leesafinley.com or www.wakeforesthousechick.com – it’s a great place to start your search!

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

1930 Gotham Glamour to be reborn in New York! The Chatwal New York

The restoration of this iconic landmark is being undertaken by world renowned master architect and interior designer Thierry Despont.

A little history of the original building occupants: Established in 1874, The Lambs Club was the gathering place of those who would make Broadway and Hollywood history. Legendary member names include George M. Cohan, W.C. Fields, John Barrymore, Milton Berle, Fred Astaire, Irving Berlin and Will Rogers.

The Chatwal New York Revives Gotham Elegance

If you are interested in historic properties there are a few terms that you should familiarize yourself with.  A few of the words may sound similar and it can get somewhat confusing.  Here is a sampling of terms that you should become familar with when delving into the world of historic properties:

• Rehabilitate:  To repair a structure and make it usable again while preserving those portions or features of the property that are historically and culturally significant.  For example, rehabilitation might include an updated kitchen while retaining the historic stairwell and fireplaces.  Most common approach for private houses.
• Restore:  To return a building to its form and condition as represented by a specified period of time using materials that are as similar as possible to the original materials.
• Stabilize:  To protect a building from deterioration by making it structurally secure, while maintaining its current form.
• Renovate:  To repair a structure and make it usable again, without attempting to restore its historic appearance or duplicate original construction methods or material.
• Preserve:  To maintain a structure’s existing form through careful maintenance and repair.
• Reconstruct:  To re-create an historic building that has been damaged or destroyed; to erect a new structure resembling the old using historical, archaeological, architectural documents.
• Remodel:  To change a building without regard to its distinctive features or style.  Often involves changing the appearance of a structure by removing or covering original details and substituting new materials and forms.

For more information regarding historic properties be sure to visit The National Trust for Historic Preservation where the above glossary can be found.  For information regarding Historic Properties in Wake Forest NC please feel free to give me a call or send me an email - I’d be happy to show you what Wake Forest NC has to offer!

If you are interested in Wake Forest NC events, homes for sale, area information, etc please be sure to check out Life in Wake Forest NC

Cast-Iron Architecture