Foreclosures Down in the Triad----I'll Drink to That!

The Triad Business Journal reported last week that foreclosures in the Triad were down 42% in the first quarter from the same period last year. This hopefully means some price stabilization for our area and local sellers. The state's total was reported at just under 6,000 last quarter according to the article. Please take the time to read previous posts as to why sometimes a foreclosure is a good idea and sometime needs a good hard look at what kind of investment you are making and at what price.

Tax re-evaluations are really "fiddling" with our local real estate market. Overly gracious evaluations have left current sellers feeling as if they are "giving" their homes away and that prices should be listed up, rather than where the buyers are dictating. Most homes on the market are showing "under tax value". Well, that's not saying much, since it seems that most of my current listings are under tax value and could not sell for close to the county's estimate of value. Beware when the government tries to set housing values...contact a local real estate professional for an a market assessment. Makes good info when submitting or going before the board to lower your value.

This weekend Kerner's Folly is hosting its second annual Cheers to the Folly. A beer tasting, chili competition and music event. The event is this Saturday, April 25 from 4-9 with proceeds going to Folly restoration funds. If you have never attended the wine or beer event or have never visited the Folly, it's a great opportunity to enjoy historic Kernersville for a great price! Hope to see you there!

Brooke

Fitz's On Main...A Welcome Addition!

Being stuck in an office or car for a long period of time isn't that much fun...but when that's what you do for a paycheck, it makes it a bit easier to swallow. You may be wondering where exactly I am going with that sentiment and I'll tell you. I have been working for days and weeks on end with no break in between until this past Easter weekend. Once Friday rolled around and the day wrapped up, I was ready for some down time. However, being the person I am, that didn't last long and I felt as if I just wasn't doing anything. But heck, it had only been a few hours! I took a deep breath, did some stuff around the house, took Maddie to see the new Hannah Montana movie, dyed eggs, you get the picture. Well, back at work on Monday, it still felt as if I were moving in slow motion as I hammered out the mound of paperwork that was the result of the properties I just put under contract. (Thank God!) Office life doesn't suit me very well, I like to think of myself as a "people person"--trite, I know, but that's what I am. So I promised myself that I would GET OUT of the office this week and enjoy the world around me--you know, "Do it differently today!"

So I did. This morning I met a great friend for breakfast, just to catch up. We had seen each other in passing over the past couple of weeks, but I looked forward to sitting down over a cup of coffee and talking. That we did--at Fitz's. If you live in Kernersville, you may already know that I am referring to our newest restaurant addition in downtown. If not, hop in your car and visit this eclectic, remake of historic Kernersville, the way it used to be and the way it should be.

Fitz's was started by none other than David Fitzpatrick, well-known and loved icon in Kernersville. Recently retired as Principal of Kernersville Elementary, his gregarious personality, coupled with his intimate knowledge of the people and places of Kernersville, make Fitz's, Kernersville's version of Mayberry's, Snappy Lunch. Lisa and I arrived around 8:45 to a full house...that is as full as a nine foot wide building can be. Formerly, Snow's, a almost 40 year old Kernersville hotdog mainstay, Fitz's has a very similar feel and menu.

Even though, a bacon-egg-cheese sandwich was not on the menu, the very cheerful waitress gladly put the order in and it came out excellent--could have maybe been a bit more "melted together" but still very good! Good coffee, service was excellent, my coffee never made it below half a cup and never got cold--a very good sign. No feelings of someone rushing you out to "turn the table" and conversation from staff and patrons was easy going, light and jovial.

So impressed, that when I saw Luann in the parking lot at the chamber around 1, we went back for lunch! Same great service, saw a ton of folks we know (the best part of eating out in Kville) and had a wonderful, messy all-beef hotdog and some of Fitz's famous homemade chips. The only negative was running out of sweet tea, which, might I mention, I didn't need anyway AND I was offered another beverage of my choice to compensate. Once again, friendly staff, great conversation from the patrons and the historic decor was great to look at. Old Justice Theatre movie bills, antique thermometers, a piece of furniture from Pinnix's Drug Store and much more...so much, that you must check out Fitz's on Main...a most welcome addition to our downtown! See you there!

Brooke

Viva Downtown Kernersville!

I spent a couple of hours night before last at the Kernersville Downtown Preservation and Development Council meeting...known going forward as KDPDC. This was a meeting/retreat of the board of directors in order to kick off the new year and set direction and goals for the council.



I serve on the board at the pleasure of the mayor as the representative from the Kernersville Board of Alderman of which I am a member of. It is my duty to report back to the board the goings on of the KDPDC, as we fund a significant portion of their organization.



The meeting started with various reports ranging from fund raising, finance and then ending up with a "brainstorming" session of sorts led by Mike Jacobs. Mike began with an idea that has been near and dear to the hearts of many in the KDPDC, the board of aldermen and citizens alike--a farmers market.

So...along with other great ideas and businesses that continue to dot the landscape of our recently refurbished downtown...the farmers' market would be a great addition. Everything is still very preliminary and folks are brainstorming on location, marketing, etc. but I believe that it would be a very welcome addition to the downtown area. Currently, we have several vendors that gather behind Musten and Crutchfield's...space is limited but the goods sold are wonderful! This idea when it takes off would provide the current vendors with a larger space, additional advertising and exposure and possibly a semi-covered venue. If any of you guys have ideas or suggestions on this that you would like to share, please post and I will make sure they get to the folks that are looking into this venture!

Spring and summer are just months away and fresh fruits and vegetables could be just steps away if everything comes together!