2011 Piedmont Earth Day Fair The sixth annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair will be held at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds in Winston-Salem on Saturday, April 16, 2011, from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.  Parking is free. This family-friendly event will feature: Over 100 exhibits offering a wide range of environmental topics, sustainable solutions, and local initiatives The Green Scene Investigationchildren's program for ages 4-12, including a scavenger hunt, crafts, games and activities.  Children's entertainment throughout the day on a special stage, plus hula hoop fun provided by Monkey Hooper.  Twenty minute in-depth demonstrations on a variety of interesting and informative topics.Live music all day on the main stage featuring an eclectic mix ranging from acoustic rock and bluegrass, ... 04/13/2011

REYNOLDA FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS JASON REITMAN  Reynolda Film Festival's keynote speaker for the 2011 festival is Jason Reitman. He is known for films such as Juno, Thank You for Smoking, and Up in the Air. Wake Forest University: Wait Chapel1834 Wake Forest Road, Wait Chapel , Winston-Salem NC 27106 Email | info@reynoldafilmfestival.comPhone | (336) 758-5364Website | http://www.reynoldafilmfestival.comGet Tickets | http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/163418 03/30/2011

Introducing a new addition to the Homes for Heroes family!   Ruth Hudspeth & Bill Reynolds opened the Winston Salem Branch of Fairway Independent Mortgage in December of 2007.  Established in 1996, Fairway Independent Mortgage has the flexibility to work with numerous lenders until it finds the right loan for the customer’s needs.  It’s reputation for quick turnaround and exceptional service is what really sets Fairway apart.  In cooperation with the NC Housing Finance Agency, Ruth Hudspeth was the Top Loan Officer of Affordable Mortgages in 2006.  “Both of my parents were educators, and I am honored to be able to give back to the public service men and women that serve our communities by partnering with Homes For Heroes.”  Ruth has been originating loans in the Triad for over 20 years.... 02/25/2011

A recent addition to the Homes for Heroes family! Ruth McMasters is a full time real estate broker with Realty 1 Properties in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Prior to real estate, she had an extensive career in management in Wholesale Mortgage Industry for over 35 years. “When I heard about the Homes for Heroes program, I knew I wanted to get involved. It allows me the opportunity to offer a significant discount to people who serve and make a difference in our community. When I see someone in the military, I have always made a point to say ‘Thank you’, but that is not enough. With Homes for Heroes, it gives me the chance to give back and say “Thank you” to not only the military personnel; but to Winston Salem area teachers, firefighters, health care providers, and law enforcement. Unfo... 01/04/2011

Realty 1 Properties Real Estate Blog Homes for Heroes Affiliation December 9th, 2010 3:33 PM NEW ANNOUNCEMENT!! Oh My gosh!   I am so excited and extremly honored to announce that I am now affiliated with Homes for Heroes! Homes for Heroes was started shortly after 9/11/2001 by a family with deep roots in the real estate industry. Being an affiliate Homes for Heroes is a way to give back and say thank you not only to all the Military Personnel, but to Policemen and Policewomen, to nurses, teachers, first responders..  OUR Everyday Heroes.. !!    By becoming an affiliate of Homes for Heroes,  we have agreed as a company to give back 25% of our Real Estate Commission to the Heroes,  whether a buyer or seller.   In saying this,  I have to admit how honored I am and how humbled I am to be a... 12/09/2010

The end of the year is a perfect time to make sure you have done the following.. Test Your Smoke Detectors - with the holiday season and all the Christmas trees lit,  there is sometime a fire hazard, and you want to make sure your Smoke Detectors is in Proper Operating Conditon.   Keep Your Family Safe. Service Your heating System,  In North Carolina, we have been blessed with warmer weather until this last week..  It is Cold!!  so make sure your Heating system is serviced,  you would not want to be without heat in this frigid weather. Replace or Clean Furnace Filters -  Again,  keep it safe Reseal Grout on counters, walls and doors  - this is a good time while the weather is cold to do some indoor chores.  like resealing the grout.  Drain your water heater by at least 2 gallons to prev... 12/07/2010

Celebrate the Holidays at Old Salem for a Trip to the Past.Take a step back to a time and visit Old Salem Museums & Gardens during the Holiday Season.  A wonderful time when the holidays were simpler, less stressful and more focused on faith and family. Come and see traditional wreaths hangingf from the doors, lampposts and fence posts are wrapped in their winter greenery, the smell of fresh baked treats emanating from the bakery warm even the coldest nose. Come and wonder the streets of Old Salem and listen to the music drifting through the air to envelope you in the holiday spirit.So come see Old Salem Museums & Gardens as we celebrate not just Christmas but all of the winter holidays and traditions including Thanksgiving, New Year’s and much more. If you hurry you can still see:The C... 12/06/2010

Bibs Downtown BBQ in Winston-Salem, NC It's the "Bestern!"As they say at Bibs in Winston-Salem, North Carolina it is not Eastern BBQ and it is not Western style BBQ IT'S "BESTERN!"  So the best of both worlds.  Located right downtown at their new location 675 W. Fifth Street.  I was introduced to Bibs at a friends house about a month ago when they had them cater their little get together.  We were treated to smoked pulled pork, smoked beef brisket, their delectable Bib's Beans,  of course two kinds of slaw (what BBQ would be right with out it) and their own very special hushpuppies.  Let me tell you they are very, very special.  At Bib's they do not buy precooked or frozen meats.  All their meats are smoked daily so if they are busy don't be surprised if they may actually run out for a ... 10/30/2010

NORTH CAROLINA RANKED THIRD PLACE IN THE USA FOR DOING BUSINESS! Forbes is Business and North Carolina is Approved!  Okay!  Let's get excited!!  Those of us in the Tar Heel state have always said we have a great place to live and work, and now we have further confirmation!  It's nice to be able to brag a little, especially right now in this economy, don't you think?  May I add this too, we've kept our property prices reasonable, in an effort to not overstate values.  We've moved up from last year's ratings, which was number five!      <----I drew this, can you tell?  ":>) We've created more jobs in NC than 46 of the other states!   N.C. Governor Purdue has recently stated , "There's nothing I love more than convincing a corporate executive of what a great place this is to live and work.... 10/19/2010

The Dixie Classic Fair is back! Our areas next big fair is back again on Friday.  It is the 128th anniversary of what is the 50th largest fair in North America and the second largest in North Carolina.  It is held in Winston-Salem at the fairgrounds and runs from October 1 - 10, 2010.  Tickets cost are: Adults (ages 12 & up) - $8, Children (ages 6 - 11) - $4 and Children (5 & under) and Senior Adults (65 & over, with ID) are Free. Of course, there are the usual rides, games and shows, as well as every kind of fair food imaginable.  There are shows, including my favorite, the pig races.  There are competitions for animals, produce, artists and even the best fried apple pies ( a real southern thing). Here is the schedule. Friday October 1st - Sunday, October 10thSunday Through Friday: 11:... 09/29/2010

HOMES FOR SALE WINSTON SALEM NC As the fall market is in full swing in Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point Triad area, this is the time to find the great deals....and it's not necessarily the "Foreclosed and Short Sale Home"!   People are still relocating.   Interest rates are the lowest they've ever been, and jumbo rates are down.  Beware however, that there are influences in the making that may change the current interest rate scenario.  Mortgage lenders are reporting that the"United States interest rates are tied closely to the relationship between the Chinese currency and our bond market".  That will inevitably change at some point, and "Home Loan Interest Rates" will begin increasing!   The ability to get a 30 year mortgage at 4.5% is incredible!  It's an opportunity that should ... 09/22/2010

The Wall Street Journal recently announced the 10 Best and Worst Markets to Invest in Real Estate. Winston Salem was recognized as the 7th Best Market. The data was compiled by Local Market Monitor Inc., a Cary, N.C., firm that analyzes real-estate trends for lenders, builders and investors. The Investor Suitability Report was formulated with economic data through July 31, 2010 for 315 U.S. markets. 10 Best and Worst Markets to Invest in Real Estate We offer a FREE Foreclosure List for Buyers and Investors who buy with Exit Realty. Click the link below to request it. Click Here for Your FREE Foreclosure HOT List! Want to Search for More Homes on the Local MLS? 09/04/2010

My dogs, like most, love going on walks. If they hear the leash or collars rattle, then it's on! They are barking and jumping around like they are on a pogo stick. Dogs are allowed at all Winston Salem parks if they are on a leash. Washington Park, however, has a great dog park and you are allowed to "unleash" your pooch.   Washington Park Dog ParkWashington Park Dog Park Review on YELP   Address: 1490 Broad Street, Winston-Salem, NC Operating Hours: N/A Managed By: City of Winston-Salem Days Closed: N/A Fees: N/A Restrooms: N/A Park Size: 1 acre Type of Park: Fenced View Washington Park Dog Park on Google Maps 08/09/2010

If you're trying to sell your home in Winston Salem, during this current housing market, you want to make the best impression possible when prospective buyers come to see it. Real estate legend Barbara Corcoran walks us through the do's and don'ts of preparing your home for sale. If you are thinking of selling your home, request our FREE Highest and Best Price Analysis. You won't believe our Digital Marketing Strategy to get your home sold fast! 06/23/2010

FORECLOSURE HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN WINSTON SALEM NC If you know of someone who is behind on mortgage payments, Click on This Video to learn about the new rules put into place in April, 2010, to help homeowners who are facing foreclosure for whatever reason. The program is called "Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives",  HAFA for short.  HAFA PROGRAM ELIGIBLITY Short Sales processes have better rules now, under the guidelines of HAFA.    The Lender/Servicer of the homeowners loan must abide by the following:  T here must be a Uniform Process, using model forms, and there will be deadlines.  The Lender must establish in the beginning of the process what the closing costs and net proceeds will be as well as and what a "fair offer" will be for the home.   Lender/Servicers must participat... 04/16/2010

It's definitely starting to be the time when buying Real Estate Leads in the Winston-Salem area is the correct thing to do. We have seen a large increase in people moving to the area, which will only increase through the spring and into summer months. We are witnessing a huge increase in the amount of prospective home buyers that have contacted us just in the last few months. These people are contacting us requesting information on relocating to the area, or want more information in a possible home purchase. We do need a Realtor to assist these prospective home buyers. Most of these families and individuals are out-of-state buyers, and do need help! Kindly call us at (800) 900-2807 to learn how we can bring you 10 - 25 potential home buyers every month for the Winston-Salem, North Caro... 04/06/2010

HOMES FOR SALE WINSTON SALEM NC -EXTERIOR REMODELING Winston Salem homes are selling!  Spring has sprung, the neighborhoods are being spruced up, to enjoy a well deserved respite from the news "That Groundhog" gave us a several weeks ago.  It was a long winter to say the least!                                                     Finally!  We're enjoying greener grass, the trees are budding, and the daffidils are blooming, especially in the established neighborhoods like where I live.  That's where you'll find the beauty of nature, because families have had time to see their efforts "take root", so to speak.  It's also the time to begin those projects like exterior painting, enclosing a patio with privacy fencing or installing those energy efficient windows.  Mine this year was the priva... 03/26/2010

TAX CREDITS FOR HOMES FOR SALE WINSTON SALEM TRIAD NC Since we're all headed towards April 15th, Tax Day, I thought it would be appropriate to post information on the topic from House Logic , a service provided by the National Association of Realtors.   Recentlly, one of my neighbors asked me if I knew if there were tax advantages for adding insulation in the ceiling of their garage and beefing up the existing insulation in the attic.  Just so happens that there are alot of tax credits along those lines.  Here are a few:   Tax Credits for Solar Water Heaters A federal tax credit makes energy-efficient solar water heaters a more affordable and sustainable option for many homeowners. Read Tax Credits for Replacing Heating and Cooling Systems Upgrading to an energy-efficient heating and co... 03/05/2010

HOMES FOR SALE WINSTON SALEM TRIAD NC Remodeling in preparation to sell your home can be a fun experience if you have the right contractor.  It can also be a disastrous ordeal for with the wrong leadership too.  Let me introduce you to Fred Oskin, owner of Kitchen Saver of North Carolina located on Stratford Rd, in Winston Salem.   That name, Kitchen Saver,  is a little misleading, because they also do bathroom remodeling, laminate and tile flooring, as well as many other  home remodeling tasks that you can come up with!  My personal experience with Fred Oskin, has been the remodeling of two kitchens.  One was in my personal home, and another in an investment property.   Fred is highly experienced, pleasant in nature, and easy to work with, from pricing the job to the finishing touches.... 02/24/2010

Each morning Americans wake up to the morning rituals of preparing to go to work.  I'm guessing that most have their TV on and are "catching up" on the overnight news.  But what they see is worse than water boarding that Congress is so worried about.  First off, we can start with the loud commercials for a new car.  What industry makes it a point to pee on their customers each day.  Not all commercials are that loud, Please Stop!   We can go to the moon, but we can't stop loud commercials.  ( I will never buy a new car, your efforts are wasted on me) If you are interested in the world at all, use any technology at all, then you get these fun things also.  On 5 different networks, the same stories, literally verbatim.  Not only is the same news, it is repeated for days on end, with "brea... 01/26/2010