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Southern Living Taps Reynolda as a “Best Place to Visit”

The editors of Southern Living “have scoured the South for what’s new, notable and next in 2025″ to create the magazine’s “25 Best Places to Go in the South in 2025.” And Winston-Salem’s historic Reynolda is on the list and noted as “one of the best-kept secrets in this vibrant college town.” According to the magazine’s listing:

If you’re looking for the ultimate springtime day trip, go to the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens, and Reynolda Village, located on and around Wake Forest University. The property and former country home of R.J. Reynolds and Katharine Smith has a multitude of things to see and do on its 1,067 acres. Stroll the formal gardens, which include flowering bulbs, azaleas, and the largest cherry tree display in the Carolinas. Don’t miss the restored 1913 Lord & Burnham Greenhouse. Tour the 64-room Reynolda House Museum of American Art, with its period interiors and galleries of paintings and other works. Then enjoy a meal and shopping at Reynolda Village, a retail area housed in historic buildings.

The museum and gardens also host a variety of special exhibits and events throughout the year. A special exhibition opens February 15 showcasing work by Andrew Wyeth, one of the most popular and celebrated American artists of the twentieth century.

For residents of the area, the allure of Reynolda is well known. It’s a popular place to walk the trails, explore the art and exhibitions, visit the village shops and restaurants, or enjoy the serene beauty of the gardens. But it’s nice to see this recognition from Southern Living that should bring even more visitors to this special place.

 

North Carolina Ranks High on Forbes List of Best Places to Start a Business

For many Americans, the dream of starting their own business ranks high, whether it’s to ditch an unsatisfying job or seeking an opportunity that offers more fulfillment and, hopefully, more income. While it can be a daunting task, a key component in success can be finding the right place to lay the groundwork for that new venture.

For budding entrepreneurs, North Carolina ranks high among states when it comes to finding a fertile environment for new business. Forbes Advisor recently placed North Carolina fifth on its list of top states in which to start a business in 2024, ranking behind only North Dakota, Indiana, South Dakota and Arkansas. The Forbes study analyzed 18 key metrics across five categories, taking into consideration factors that impact businesses and their ability to succeed, such as business costs, business climate, economy, workforce and financial accessibility in each state.

North Carolina Supports Small Business Growth and Success

According to Forbes, “North Carolina offers a blend of supportive business elements. The state’s formation fee is reasonably set at $125, striking a balance between accessibility and quality service. A significant advantage for entrepreneurs is the business survival rate of 77%, suggesting a nurturing and stable environment for startups. This rate reflects the resilience and potential for growth of businesses in the state.

“Financially, North Carolina is poised to aid small businesses, offering an average funding of $22,019 via grants and incentives. This level of support shows the state’s investment in fostering entrepreneurial ventures. The cost of living index here is 0.96, aligning closely with the national average and ensuring affordability for business owners and workers alike. With 65% of its population in the working-age category, North Carolina provides a large labor pool. The state’s scaled score of 84 out of 100 reflects these combined advantages, making it a practical and promising location for new businesses.”

Why Move When You’re Already in the Right Place

Maybe we’re biased, but if you already live in North Carolina there’s no reason to even consider a move to the Dakotas, Indiana or Arkansas. According to Forbes, you’re already in the right place.

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Salem College Ranked 24th Among U.S. Liberal Arts Colleges

 

In its annual review of college and universities, “Washington Monthly 2023 College Rankings” included Salem College among the Top 25 Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States, one of only two North Carolina colleges in the top 25. Ranked 24th overall, Salem College was also ranked 4th in the nation for graduation rate performance and 8th for the earning performance of its graduates. In its ranking of institutions providing the “Best Bang for the Buck,” Salem College placed 14th among all colleges and universities in the Southeast.

In addition, Washington Monthly awarded Salem the No. 1 Earning Performance ranking in North Carolina among all Southeast colleges and universities, and Salem leads all North Carolina liberal arts colleges in the Top 25 for AmeriCorps and Peace Corps service, indicating both the civic and economic benefits that come from a Salem education. Washington Monthly also noted that 20% of Salem College graduates pursued service-oriented majors, the largest percentage of any of the Top 25 liberal arts colleges in the ranking.

1,485 four-year institutions were evaluated in the rankings for 2023, which integrate several publicly available data components. Washington Monthly has published its annual ranking of colleges and universities since 2005, which it says are based on what colleges “do for our country,” and which have three broad areas of emphasis: social mobility, research, and promotion of public service.

Founded in 1772, Salem Academy and College is the nation’s oldest educational institution for girls and women in the United States.

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Graylyn Estate Named Top 10 Boutique Hotel by USA Today

The historic Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem was voted by the readers of USA Today as one of the 10 best boutique hotels in the country in the recent 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. According to USA Today, “boutique hotels offer an escape all their own, complete with a more customized experience and the best modern amenities and service.”

Winston-Salem’s Own Version of Downtown Abbey

In its description of Graylyn Estate, the review noted that “butlers are available around the clock to ensure that guest needs are always attended to. Winston-Salem’s own version of ‘Downton Abbey’ treats visitors to this 55-acre historic property like royalty.”

The estate is justly proud of this elite designation. “Graylyn is honored and proud to be recognized by elite travel writers and voters,” said Vice President John Wise. “The Graylyn team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests and corporate meeting partners. The award validates our commitment to hospitality each and every day. Graylyn is fortunate to be included on the list and to shine a light across the country on Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University.”

Then Second-Largest Home in North Carolina

The estate’s history stretches back to 1925 when Bowman Gray, then president of tobacco company R.J. Reynolds, and wife Nathalie Lyons Gray purchased 87 acres that were originally part of the Reynolda estate of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds. Employing the finest artisans and craftsmen, Graylyn emerged as the second-largest home in North Carolina, with nearly 85 rooms and 46,000 square feet of living space.

Today, the Graylyn Estate is owned and operated by Wake Forest University. A unique blend of Old World charm and personalized service, the estate is recognized for its opulent interiors, luxury amenities and 55 acres of lush grounds. An ongoing tradition is the serving each afternoon of Mrs. Gray’s butterscotch cookies in honor of the couple’s dogs, Butter and Scotch, as well as complimentary ice cream, Mr. Gray’s favorite treat.

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W-S Real Estate Market Remains Healthy & Steady

While many real estate markets across the country continue to cool, activity in Winston-Salem remains relatively steady. Even with mortgage rate increases and lower inventory, home sales remain positive, according to Triad MLS data as of July 30.

  • The average sales price for all types of residential real estate rose to $345,925 in July, an increase of 30% compared to $265,867 in January 2023.
  • Price per square foot improved to $167 in July compared to $145 in January. Even with that healthy improvement, however, Winston-Salem remains a good value in relation to other metro areas in the state.
  • The number of homes closed in the Winston-Salem market totaled 376 in June, dropping to 267 in July. While a seasonal drop is not uncommon, it is again at least partially attributable to fewer homes on the market.
  • The percentage of listing price realized at closing has ranged from 98% to 101% thus far in 2023.
  • Days on the market again fell to just 18 at the end of July, compared to 38 days in February, which was the 2023 high to date.
Inventory remains low, making buyers more aggressive

One revealing statistic is that the current month’s home inventory stands at a very low 1.3 months. Generally, a supply of five to six months is considered a balanced market. This means active buyers have fewer choices and are more aggressive as shown by sales closing at or near the full listing price. However, the bidding that drove up prices and overheated markets in 2021-22 has cooled, lending more stability to the sales process.

Winston-Salem offers strong home values

Overall, the Winston-Salem market continues to move forward at a steady and realistic pace that should benefit both buyers and sellers. And it’s very clear this is a city that offers outstanding value to homebuyers, especially to those currently living in the state’s larger metro areas where home prices, property taxes and traffic have skyrocketed.

For additional information or answers to questions, contact us at bluebirdrealty11@gmail.com.

Image Courtesy of Visit Winston-Salem

CNBC Ranks North Carolina Top State for Business

For the second consecutive year, business news channel CNBC has ranked North Carolina the top state for business, based on a host of key metrics.

North Carolina ranked number one in workforce – the most important category in this year’s study – as educated workers are flocking to the state and worker training programs are rated among the best in the country. North Carolina also boasted the third-best economy with solid growth, stable state finances and a healthy housing market.

“Companies in desperate need of skilled workers are going where the people are, and people are going to North Carolina,” CNBC special correspondent Scott Cohn said. “The state’s well-balanced economy is handling the growth well. Rising political tensions could create issues down the road, but for now, North Carolina seems to have the winning formula—for the second year in a row.”

All 50 States Scored on 86 Metrics

CNBC’s study scores all 50 states on 86 metrics across 10 categories of competitiveness. The methodology grades the states based on factors companies consider each year when making site selection decisions, and that states pitch in their efforts to win business.

Here’s where North Carolina ranks in each category for 2023:

Overall: 1

Workforce: 1

Infrastructure: 16

Economy: 3

Life, Health & Inclusion: 34

Cost of Doing Business: 18

Tech & Innovation: 6

Business Friendliness: 10

Education: 7

Access to Capital: 6

Cost of Living: 27

North Carolina Claims Other Top Business Awards

Earlier this year, North Carolina also won Site Selection magazine’s Prosperity Cup for the third year in a row, which recognizes the competitiveness of state-level economic development agencies and their success in landing capital investment projects.

In June, North Carolina won for the second consecutive year Area Development magazine’s 2023 Platinum Shovel Award that recognizes states that went above and beyond the gold standard for investment and job creation. Business Facilities magazine named North Carolina its State of the Year for economic development and job growth.

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NC Baptist Hospital Celebrates a Century of Service

North Carolina Baptist Hospital, now known as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, officially marked 100 years of service on May 28.

The hospital opened its doors in Winston-Salem on May 28, 1923, with a simple commitment: to be a place of healing and teaching. Planning began in 1919, when the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina held its annual meeting and appointed a special commission to seek a location for North Carolina’s first Baptist hospital. The goal was to create a network of hospitals to care for the state’s neediest patients.

An 11-acre tract of land in Winston-Salem’s Ardmore neighborhood was chosen as the site for the hospital. Construction took about two years, and on May 28, 1923, North Carolina Baptist Hospital opened, with five floors and 88 beds. Fred Trivette, who would grow up to be a North Carolina highway patrolman, was the first baby born on the hospital’s opening day.

Today, the hospital is an 885-bed tertiary care center that treats families from across the region and the Wake Forest Baptist health system has grown to include five community hospitals, more than 300 primary and specialty care locations, 2,700 physicians, 4,000 nurses and more than 20,000 employees.

More than 1,200 students learn at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, including the MD, PA, Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and graduate programs. The hospital plays a pivotal role in research and education for Wake Forest University School of Medicine, a nationally-known leader in groundbreaking research and experiential medical education, and the academic core of Advocate Health.

 

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Winston-Salem Real Estate Stable in 2022, Positive for 2023

An arial view of the Winston-Salem skyline in the evening.

The hope is we’ve survived the chaotic up-and-down 2022 real estate market with minor distress here in the Winston-Salem area, and can look forward to a more stable and manageable 2023. Here’s a quick recap of residential real estate activity in our area for 2022 (January – December):

— Despite overall uncertainty, the average sales price for residential properties (homes, condominiums and townhomes) rose 11.2% to $295,783 at year’s end, up from $265,950 in January 2022. The highest average came in June at $322,323 as the market was at its hottest.

— Price per square foot remained stable at roughly $150 over the course of the year. The highest price came in May at $176, but fell back to $150 at the end of 2022.

— Strong buyer demand and limited inventory kept theBlueBird Realty logo percentage of listing price received at close to 100% during 2022, moderating slightly to 98.5% at year’s end. May/June were again the hottest months, with the percentage topping 103%.

— In January 2022, the average days a home spent on the market was 26 days; however,  that number dropped drastically to just nine days in mid-year as the market hit its most active point. By year-end, average days on market had settled at 28 days.

— The local market has slowed some, particularly during the fourth quarter of 2022. Closed sales dropped from 267 in January to 246 in December, while new listings dipped from 276 to 186.

— Continued buyer interest and reduced inventory have kept activity on a positive note in the Winston-Salem area. But higher mortgage rates have affected buyer activity and confidence, with indications buyers are waiting and watching to see where interest rates and the overall economy trend.

— Realtor.com has projected home prices in the Winston-Salem market will increase by 5% in 2023, a positive note for prospective sellers.

Conclusion: For sellers, the increase in average pricing during 2022 appears holding into 2023, presenting a potential opportunity to cash in, particularly for those looking to downsize, retire or relocate. Buyers likely will remain cautious as they watch mortgage rates and the health of the overall economy. However, indications of lower rates and improved economic activity, plus more inventory, will encourage a pool of buyers motivated to move for more space, family growth, remote work space, etc.

In overall terms, the state of the Winston-Salem area residential real estate market appears positive heading into 2023.

Moravian Stars: A Sure Sign of the Season in Winston-Salem

 

If you spend any time around Winston-Salem during the holiday season, you’ll certainly encounter glowing 26-point Moravian stars gracing homes and trees, and even the city’s downtown decorations. These stars are a tradition tracing their origin back to the Moravians, a religious group that began settling the area in the mid-1700s and still retains a strong influence.

Thanks to Visit Winston-Salem, the “Star Man” who produces hundreds of Moravian stars each year has been revealed as Ken Manuel, a “kind man with gentle eyes and a warm voice that attracts visitors to his table at the Moravian Book & Gift Shop in Old Salem.” What began as a hobby has evolved into a full-time job over the past decade, but also a labor of love. Click here to enjoy a complete introduction to Winston-Salem’s star of the season.

Winston-Salem Is Home to the Only Remaining Historic Shell Oil “Clamshell” Station

Perhaps one of Winston-Salem’s more obscure claims to fame is as the home to the only remaining Shell Oil clamshell station in the United States. A local distributor of Shell, Quality Oil, in the 1930s built seven stations in Winston-Salem and one in nearby Kernersville as advertisements. These unique stations are today considered prime examples of representational or novelty architecture.

The quirky design was intended to draw customers, though it presented a difficult construction process. To achieve the desired effect, the office and bathroom areas were boxed in with a bent wood and wire frame. The entire facade was then coated in stucco and finished with Shell’s iconic bright yellow color. Next to the building is a trellised cover that served as the car wash and work area, while a drive-up ramp was used for other services and repairs. Restored gas pumps and replica lamp posts complete the step back in time.

Restored & Listed on National Register

This station actually remained operational until the 1950s, and the building later served as home to a lawn mower repair shop in the 1970s and 1980s. But thanks to the efforts of Preservation North Carolina, the station was restored, and in 1976 it became the first individual station in America to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Situated on the quiet neighborhood corner of Sprague and Peachtree streets, the station’s interior is no longer open to visitors, but it’s still worth a visit. A glance through its windows reveals walls hung with framed newspaper articles, and shelves lined with antique black-and-white photographs, old Shell signs and other items attesting to the station’s history.

MLS Internet Data Exchange (IDX) information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing, and that the data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Triad MLS®.