📫12 Things to do This Weekend | Wake County Real Estate Key Trends📍

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Hello friends!

Today’s newsletter will be a little shorter than usual, and I won’t be featuring garage and yard sales this week as I’m taking some time to recuperate from surgery. Thank you for your understanding and support—I truly appreciate it. I’ll be back at full speed and bringing you all the latest next week!

See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane

—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

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📍 Today’s Chuckle 📍

Why did the blanket go to the doctor?
Because it needed a little cover-age while recuperating! 😄🛌

📍 Triva 📍

September 19 in U.S. History

First Aviation Disaster – On September 19, 1911, the first recorded U.S. airplane crash with fatalities occurred in New York when pilot Lt. Thomas Selfridge died in a crash during a demonstration flight with Orville Wright.

Autumn Splendor in Highlands & Cashiers 🍁

Fall is a magical time to visit Highlands and Cashiers, two charming towns nestled in the western North Carolina mountains. As the crisp autumn air settles in, the region transforms into a vivid tapestry of fiery reds, glowing oranges, and golden yellows, making it a favorite destination for leaf peepers, hikers, and anyone seeking a scenic escape. The best time to visit is typically mid-October through early November, when the higher elevations hit peak color and the valleys follow closely behind.

There is no shortage of activities to enjoy amid this fall beauty. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike Cashiers’ Whitewater Falls or explore the trails at Panthertown Valley, often referred to as the “Yosemite of the East,” where waterfalls, streams, and overlooks are framed by brilliant foliage. In Highlands, Sky Valley Overlook and the Mabry Nature Preserve provide perfect vantage points to soak in panoramic views of the mountains ablaze with autumn color. For a more relaxed pace, visitors can wander through the quaint downtowns, browse local artisan shops, or sip seasonal drinks in cozy cafés while watching the leaves drift by.

Highlands and Cashiers also offer a wealth of fall events and festivals celebrating the season, from craft fairs to harvest celebrations, making it a perfect blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. Whether you’re hiking to a waterfall, photographing the colorful vistas, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, the Highlands and Cashiers area delivers an unforgettable autumn experience that highlights the very best of North Carolina’s fall foliage.

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Wake County Real Estate

Key Trends

1. Home Prices

   • Median sale prices are around $490,000 in August 2025, up about 2.1% year-over-year. Redfin

   • Zillow reports the average home value in Wake County around $485,332, though that’s down ~2.1% over the past year. Zillow

   • For Raleigh specifically, values are somewhat lower: ~$437,000 average home value according to Zillow, down ~2.7% year-over-year. Zillow

2. Inventory & Time on Market

   • More homes are being listed (inventory is rising), giving buyers more options than in the peak seller’s market. Zillow+2Redfin+2

   • Homes are staying on the market longer: median days to pending are significantly up (about 45 days on average in August vs much faster a year ago). Redfin

3. Market Dynamics: Buyer vs. Seller Power

   • The sale-to-list price ratios suggest sellers are still getting close to asking prices, but there’s a slight softening. Fewer homes are going significantly over the list price than before. Redfin+1

   • In some neighborhoods or municipalities where inventory is tighter, seller leverage remains stronger. In others with more options (higher inventory), buyers have more room to negotiate.

4. Affordability & Pressures

   • Despite modest price increases in some data sets, affordability remains a concern: higher prices + rising mortgage interest rates + longer time on market = more cautious buyers.

   • Areas farther from the core (or smaller towns within the county) that offer lower median home prices (e.g. Wendell) are appealing to first-time buyers or those wanting more affordable options. 8dayrealty.com

5. Variability by Location

   • Neighborhoods like Cary, Holly Springs are on the higher end for prices per square foot, market demand, and speed of sale. 8dayrealty.com

   • More affordable pockets are still out there, particularly smaller cities/towns in Wake County, but with trade-offs in distance, commute, perhaps amenities.

Brothers Plead Guilty in Murder of Wake County Deputy

Two brothers charged in the killing of Wake County deputy Ned Byrd have pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

Arturo Marin-Sotelo and Alder Marin-Sotelo appeared in a Wake County courtroom Tuesday afternoon. Both admitted their roles in the August 2022 shooting death of Byrd, who was found outside his patrol car while on duty near Auburn Knightdale Road.

Deputy Byrd, a longtime member of the sheriff’s office and K-9 handler, was remembered as a dedicated public servant who cared deeply for his community and colleagues.

The guilty pleas mark a major development in a case that has drawn widespread attention across North Carolina’s law enforcement community. Sentencing details for the brothers have not yet been released.

Resilience in the Classroom: How North Carolina Teachers Are Healing Young Hearts After the Storm

In the storm-scarred communities of western North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene's floods left behind muddied homes and uprooted lives in late September 2024, a quiet revolution of kindness is blooming in classrooms across the state. As schools reopened amid the wreckage, educators in places like Asheville and surrounding counties faced not just physical repairs, but the emotional toll on their youngest students—children grappling with lost toys, displaced families, and the lingering fear of rushing waters. Enter "Ready, Set, Resilience," a heartfelt curriculum that's turning grief into growth, one story at a time.

Launched by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in partnership with creative therapists and environmental educators, the program weaves storytelling, art, and nature lessons into daily lessons to help kids process trauma. In a third-grade classroom at Emma Elementary School in Asheville, teacher Sarah Jenkins watched her students, including 8-year-old Mia Rodriguez, arrive wide-eyed and withdrawn after the hurricane displaced Mia's family to a temporary shelter. "They were carrying so much invisible weight," Jenkins recalls. But with Ready, Set, Resilience, that changed. Students crafted fables about sturdy live oaks bending but not breaking in the wind, performed puppet shows reenacting their "brave escapes" from floodwaters, and sketched vibrant murals of rebuilding homes with rainbow bridges symbolizing hope.

The impact has been profound. Mia, who once hid under her desk during rain simulations, now leads group poems about "storm superheroes"—kids like her who share snacks and hugs with classmates in need. Across the state, from the mountains of Buncombe County to coastal recovery zones, over 200 schools have adopted the program since its expansion in early 2025, reaching thousands of children. Program coordinator Dr. Elena Vasquez, based in Raleigh, shares, "We're not just teaching coping skills; we're reminding them they're resilient, like the pines that regrow after fire." Early evaluations show a 40% drop in reported anxiety among participants, with kids reporting stronger friendships and a renewed sense of joy.

This fall, as leaves turn gold over North Carolina's resilient landscape, stories like Mia's remind us of the everyday heroes in plaid shirts and sneakers—the teachers, parents, and volunteers pouring creativity into healing. In a world quick to highlight headlines of hardship, Ready, Set, Resilience proves that good deeds don't always roar; sometimes, they whisper through a child's drawing, mending hearts one colorful stroke at a time

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

55 Plus - The New Silver Standard

Does even light activity help Osteoporosis?

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Check out our online calendar for more events and local activities!📌

What’s Happening Today?

🎉 Wake County-Wide Events

919 Day – A Raleigh Celebration

• Date & Time: Friday, Sept 19, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Location: The Corner at NC State Centennial Campus, 941 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh

• Details: Celebrate Raleigh’s culture with live music, food trucks, and local vendors.

International Festival of Raleigh

• Date & Time: Saturday, Sept 20, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

• Location: NC State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh

• Details: Experience global cultures through music, dance, food, and art.

La Fiesta del Pueblo

• Date & Time: Sunday, Sept 21, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Location: City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh

• Details: A celebration of Latin American culture with music, food, and family activities.

🎭 Cary

North Carolina Symphony: Rachmaninoff & Dvořák

• Date & Time: Friday, Sept 19, 8:00 PM

• Location: Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South St, Raleigh

• Details: Classical performance featuring Rachmaninoff and Dvořák.

Brooks Wheelan – Stand-Up Comedy

• Date & Time: Saturday, Sept 20, 7:30 PM

• Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary

• Details: Comedy show by Brooks Wheelan.

🎨 Wake Forest

The Marvelous Wonderettes

• Date & Time: Saturday, Sept 20, 2:00 PM

• Location: Wake Forest Renaissance Centre

• Details: A musical comedy featuring 1960s songs.

🎶 Garner

Groovin' in Garner – Liquid Pleasure

• Date & Time: Friday, Sept 19, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

• Location: Garner Recreation Center, 215 W. Main St, Garner

• Details: Free outdoor concert featuring Liquid Pleasure.

🎨 Holly Springs

Golden Matinee Mornings – Senior Movie

• Date & Time: Friday, Sept 19, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Location: Holly Springs Cultural Center

• Details: Free movie screening for seniors.

🎉 Knightdale

Oak City Brewing – Food Truck & Live Music

• Date & Time: Friday, Sept 19, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

• Location: Oak City Brewing, Knightdale

• Details: Enjoy food trucks and live music in a family-friendly setting.

🎨 Zebulon

Community Coat Drive

• Date & Time: Saturday, Sept 20, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Zebulon Community Center

• Details: Drop off gently used coats for community members in need.

🎉 Apex

Cary Farmers Fall Festival

• Date & Time: Saturday, Sept 20, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Location: Downtown Cary Park

• Details: Celebrate the season with local vendors, food, and family activities.

🎉 Fuquay-Varina

Good Neighbor Day

• Date & Time: Saturday, Sept 20, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Location: Fuquay-Varina Downtown

• Details: Community event with food, entertainment, and activities for all ages.

Be sure to click below to review our “Events Calendar” with over 100 events happening today and this week!

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If your business event, or restaurant, is not on the list and you would like to be added, contact us at [email protected]