Is Your Home in a Top-Selling Zip Code?

Location, Location, Location...that is the old real estate adage we have all heard at some point.

Recently, the Triad Business Journal released their annual list of top selling zip codes in the Triad.  We are fortunate to know these zip codes very well and the market conditions that drive them.  Though important, location is not the only aspect you should investigate.  Infrastructure, (roads, gas lines, water and sewer) local taxes and benefits, understanding access to information regarding schools and the overall home and property condition are a must as well.

Take a look at the list...if we can help you better understand your market condition, we'd be happy to.

Top Selling ZIP Codes in the Triad

Choosing to Learn and Learning to Choose

What is ONE of the biggest concerns to a parent?

As parents, we all want the best for our children, especially during the K-12 education phases of life. Education impacts everything we do and in North Carolina it is a constitutional right as a citizen to receive a public eduction.  We believe that a strong, solid education creates a strong community.

However, not all school systems are alike.  The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System has an interesting and innovative education model called "school of choice" or school zones.  As a matter of fact, it is the only school system in North Carolina to have this type of model.  But what does it mean and how does it impact your daily decisions such as student transportation but also your longer-term decisions such as where you live.  There is also a part of this model that helps with the county's competitive position to improve educational outcomes, quality-of-life and attract economic growth.

Now, are there questions and does it cause some consternation until completely understood, yes.  As Realtors, we get questions all the time about this model in Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Clemmons and all over Forsyth County.   So we decided to interview a key leader in the school system.  In the following short, but important clips, we bring you some answers.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board is fortunate to have a strong Chairwoman in Dana Caudill Jones.  Chairwoman Jones has extensive leadership and an experienced background.  She is the owner of Caudill Electric in Kernersville, NC where they have a team of experts who handle electrical, security, audio/visual and automation.  It's a great company that has been around for years serving clients needs.  She served as a Town of Kernersville Alderman for years where she helped lead the city to strong growth and helped prepare if for the future.  She then saw her passion in the education areas and was voted by the citizens of Forsyth County to lead the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board, where she is currently serves.  Most importantly, she is a mother of a high school senior and a wife to David.

Chairman Dana Jones can be reached at:  dcjones@wsfcs.k12.nc.us - she's open to any and all questions or comments.

While only a couple minutes these clips provide some good information.

Watch to see what has 100% graduation rates!


What is school of choice and why does it matter?


What is on the horizon that parents need to pay attention to?

Urban Agricultural-Is it for you?

When we think of the "city-life", we do not normally think about growing food or having an edible landscape or housing farm animals.  However, many people like to grow their own food.  It's healthy,  can be relaxing, helps save money, promotes a stronger eco-system, promotes sustainability and if you do so with kids, it helps to educate.  You are seeing more and more small chicken coops in and around the area as well and that leads to questions about government regulations.  

Every now and then we get questions about "urban farming" and live agriculture.  Therefore, we thought we'd put this together as information for how to get started and what sort of government requirements in Winston-Salem there may or may not be.  Here is a great tool from the City of Winston-Salem that discusses urban agriculture and what requirements there may be, particularly as it relates to live animals.

We hope that you do make an effort to try your hand at urban-farming if you live in the city or at least grow a tomato plant.  (there's nothing like German Johnson tomato sandwich on white bread with salt, pepper and mayo in the summer!) While we are heading into winter, there is soil to prep so there is always something to do.   Go out there and get started today - you'll be glad you did!