Tag Archive for: visitwinstonsalem

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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

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.

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®.