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Home Place Dec 30, 2007
Year-End Review
Cindy Hodnett
HomePlace Writer
By now, everyone has heard real-estate horror stories about properties remaining unsold after years on the market, or those of homeowners with variable-rate mortgages that suddenly became unaffordable. Although bad news about the housing industry has dominated the national headlines over the past year, things in the Triad remained steady, and Homeplace offered a positive counterpoint to the gloomy forecasts of many media outlets with stories about new communities, local builders and noteworthy real-estate events.
January
The new year began with a new Home Builders Association President, Richard Alexander, and a new Winston-Salem Regional Association of Realtors President, Lici Fansler. As local builders began work on new projects in the Triad, potential buyers visited communities at all ends of the price spectrum and bought residential properties that included everything from luxury townhomes to affordable first-time-buyer cottages. Mike Moran was named Realtor of the Year, and WSRAR celebrated the organization’s 90th anniversary.
February
In February, HBA hosted the annual Triad Home & Garden Show, a welcome winter event for homeowners itching to make improvements or potential custom-home buyers. Exhibitors showcased everything from hardwood flooring to professionally landscaped gardens, and participants learned about a variety of housing-related topics at seminars hosted by industry experts. New downtown projects like One Park Vista, 72 West and Gateway at College Park captured the interest of Triad buyers, and Kernersville’s Weatherstone community with townhomes and single-family properties was introduced.
March
As negative real-estate news permeated many national news outlets, local buyers and builders began preparing for the Spring Festival of Homes, a four-day open-house tour of new residential construction in varying stages of completion. New communities continued to open, and large numbers of buyers visited new houses, historic properties and extraordinary estates as the value of the Piedmont housing market became apparent. Interest in green building continued to grow, and several Triad builders began construction on their first green homes. The Spring Festival Association Home was also introduced, and the Colby Homes Bermuda Run West showcase sold during the first weekend of the Spring Festival.
April
The Home Builders Association named Zack Rothrock the Builder of the Year and John McPherson the Associate of the Year. Robert Helms retired from Prudential Carolinas Realty, and the Spring Festival of Homes drew record crowds. The Association of Realtors hosted the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Children’s Center for the Physically Disabled, and hundreds of people visited the Junior League’s Tour of Fine Kitchens.
May
Innovative new construction was at the forefront in May. A multipurpose community, the District, was announced for downtown at Trade, Liberty and Martin Luther King Drive, and Hillcrest Towne Center brought one-stop living to Stratford Road with a mixed commercial and residential neighborhood. At Fair Oaks, the site of the former Blumenthal Jewish Home in Clemmons became an upscale development of single-family homes, and renovation of the historic mansion on the property began. Attendance at the annual Showcase of Remodeled Homes continued to grow as people visited local homes that had been renovated by area remodelers.
June
HBA announced the recipients of the annual Career Center awards, and RE/MAX Realty Consultants announced its support of several free Wi-Fi locations throughout Winston-Salem. Western Forsyth County continued to be a real-estate hot spot with new communities in Clemmons, Lewisville and Pfafftown.
July
One of the most unique properties ever featured in Homeplace came on the market when Windy Gap Vineyard was listed for sale. Coldwell Banker Triad, Realtors celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the Parade of Homes Association House was introduced in the picturesque Speas Meadow community in Tobaccoville. WSRAR announced the results of the annual Tee Off Against Child Abuse Golf Tournament, designating thousands of dollars to benefit the SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) organization.
August
Luxury estates continued to draw open-house crowds as high-end properties in Winding Oaks, Sherwood Forest and Davie County came on the market. The first West End open-house tour attracted buyers looking for a combination of history and downtown convenience.
September
The annual American Dream Weekend introduced potential first-time buyers to the intricacies of purchasing a home, and another downtown community was profiled in a feature on the long-anticipated West End Village. Several historic properties drew dozens of potential buyers during open-house hours, and a number of Realtors implemented creative marketing techniques for $750,000-and-up listings.
October
It was all about the Parade of Homes, as a record number of entries attracted a record number of visitors. Several participating builders were profiled during the Parade, and a number of new communities were also featured, including Barrington Oaks, Salem Place and Milhaven Landing. ReStore Spaces, a benefit for Habitat for Humanity, was held at the Habitat Restore in Winston-Salem, and Forsyth Technical Community College students took top honors for their interior-design talents.
November
A home designed specifically for baby boomers was featured in November, along with several homes with the latest in green-building products and techniques. Local real-estate leaders offered their annual holiday messages along with their gratitude to the community for an outstanding 2007. WSRAR announced the winners of the organization’s annual awards, and RE/MAX Realty Consultants’ Ted Kelly was inducted into the North Carolina Association of Realtors Hall of Fame.
December
Two Lewisville communities were profiled in December, and scores of potential buyers visited Montrachet and Brook Forest during the open-house tours. An unusual log-cabin property in Mocksville was featured, and the first “Green Home Building” open-house tour was announced, offering buyers an opportunity to view several available properties in one afternoon. The Association of Realtors hosted the Christmas party for the students at the Children’s Center for the Physically Disabled, and the proud homeowners of the Spring Festival Association House invited Homeplace staff members to visit their new home, which was decorated for the holidays. As the year drew to a close, preparations began for the 2008 calendar year, and Realtors, buyers and sellers looked ahead to the spring market with eager anticipation.
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