09.03.2024

Today’s Forecast

76º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:54 a.m. | Sunset 7:44 p.m.

🏠 Market measurements

How difficult is it to buy a home in Winston-Salem?

White home with blue door and black roof tucked behind landscaping. A concrete walkway leads up to the front door. Wild lavender and a large tree are in the front yard with a for sale sign.

This home for sale at 2359 Rosewood Ave. in Ardmore is listed for $398,000 — well above the median home price. | Photo by WStoday

Whether you’re planning your next move or just love scrolling Zillow, NBC’s home buyer index — which debuted in May and is updated monthly — might help you keep better tabs on the Winston-Salem real estate market as it shifts from month to month.

How it works

The study uses a 0-100 scale to measure the level of difficulty when purchasing a home; the higher the score, the more difficult. It’s measured using four factors: cost, competition, scarcity, and economic instability (think: market volatility, unemployment, and interest rates).

Is it legit? A real estate industry analyst, bank economist from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and other experts helped develop the tool, according to NBC News. Examine the methodology.

A few caveats: The index does not capture additional homebuying difficulties for certain groups, such as those with lower credit scores, and it can’t always capture data for more rural communities.

Forsyth County’s rating

The data listed below comes from July 2024, but it’s updated monthly — in other words, you can check back whenever you’re curious. Check out Forsyth County’s numbers, on a scale of 0 (easy) to 100 (difficult):

Overall difficulty index | 77.9
Cost index | 82.2
Competition index | 67.2
Scarcity index | 70.8
Economic instability index | 94.0

The index also shares that a median income buyer here in Forsyth County can afford a $323,000 home — compare that to the median list price for a home, which is $310,000.

Our pro tip? It’s a good idea to factor in some of the local real estate predictions for the year. For instance, prices may continue increasing, but not spike like in 2023, according to Atwell Ford.

Asked

As of July 2024, what is the overall home buyer difficulty index for the entire nation (100 being most difficult)?

A. 91.2
B. 86.8
C. 85.3
D. 89.9

Take your best guess

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 3

Welcome to Winston-Salem | Tuesday, Sept. 3 | 5-7 p.m. | Tucker’s Tap Yard | Free | Bring your pet and meet new neighbors, whether you’re new to town or are a Twin City native.

Wednesday, Sept. 4

Fly Tying Class | Wednesday, Sept. 4 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company | $18 | Learn how to tie a fly for your next fishing adventure.

Thursday, Sept. 5

HOPera | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Brouwerij DuBois | Free entry | Joyner Horn and accompanist Caroline Hayes will perform two sets of songs from opera and Broadway.

Friday, Sept. 6

Forsyth Gem, Mineral, Fossil, Jewelry Show | Friday, Sept. 6 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Events Center | Cost of purchase | Shop from mineral and fossil vendors + find fine and custom jewelry.

Saturday, Sept. 7

Miles for Migraine NC | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Jamison Park | Free, RSVP | Move with other community members to support awareness, treatment, and research for migraines and headaches.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Arts

See the 20th century’s best at this rare, new exhibition

“Founder’s Vision” offers a rare opportunity to explore some of the most notable names of the 20th century all under one roof. | Photos provided by Reynolda

After six decades of collecting American masterworks, Reynolda’s founding president Barbara Babcock Millhouse is putting her personal collection on display.

Encounter the best of 20th century modernism at “Founder’s Vision: The Private Collection of Barbara Babcock Millhouse” — newly opened at Reynolda.

Look forward to seeing period fashions along with paintings, mixed media, and sculpture from 40+ iconic American artists, including:

Romare Bearden
Alex Katz
Georgia O’Keeffe
Edward Hopper
Joseph Cornell
And more

Get tickets

News Notes

Civic

City Council will hold a hearing today, Sept. 3 to consider economic incentives for “Project Kohlrabi” — an unidentified produce wholesaler looking to expand. If the company chooses Winston-Salem, it could bring a $6.25 million investment and ~300 jobs. (Triad Business Journal)

Ranked

No. 6. That’s where Winston-Salem ranks on Clever’s list of most desirable midsize cities in the US. The real estate data company found that out of 1,000 people surveyed, a low crime rate, low housing costs, and good weather are factors that determine desirability.

Talk

Hear Novant Health President and CEO Carl Armato deliver the keynote address at Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.'s annual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The event begins at 5 p.m. at Benton Convention Center — tickets start at $100 for members and are on sale through Tuesday, Oct. 22. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Eat

Learn the benefits of eating the Mediterranean Diet during “Med Instead of Meds” beginning Thursday, Sept. 19. Register to take free weekly classes on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Oct. 24.

Festival

Get ready to enjoy food demos, live music, mixology classes, and more at the Bailey Park Food + Spirit Festival in Innovation Quarter on Sunday, Oct. 27. Tickets aren’t on sale yet but we’ll keep you posted.

Plan Ahead

Did you know? Peyton Manning supports several organizations that make a positive impact. Hear about his work with the American Red Cross, The Pat Summitt Foundation, and the PeyBack Foundation (promoting the future success of disadvantaged youth) at the Face to Face Speaker Forum next Wednesday, Sept. 11. Get tix.*

Finance

Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. These are hands down some of the best.*

Wellness

One scoop of NativePath Hydrate = increased energy, muscle strength, and bladder function. Enjoy 44% and free shipping, plus a free gift with purchase.*

Try This

~~Food~~ Fruit for thought

Learn, taste, and celebrate a unique fruit at Pawpaw Field Day

Parking lot with multicolored tents set up. People have display tables and are talking to crowds wandering around.

You’ll also learn how the nutrient-rich fruit is good for your health and the environment. | Photo via Forsyth County Government

Here’s your chance to learn about one of most unique fruits native to the Eastern US. The Forsyth County Cooperative Extension is hosting a Pawpaw Field Day on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The event will celebrate the deciduous tree that grows large, green fruit. Its yellow texture inside is like custard and its taste draws comparisons to a banana, mango, vanilla, pineapple, or butterscotch.

You’ll be able to taste the fruit, learn recipes, tour the demonstration orchard, and even buy pawpaw trees of your own at the Forsyth County Center (1450 Fairchild Rd.). The family friendly event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free and you can drop in anytime but registration is required.

The Buy

The Buy 9.03.24 (Affiliate)

A snackle box. The trendy snack tray has eight compartments and a sealable lid, making it ideal for meal prep, picnic goodies, road trip snacks, and everything in between.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

Between Fiesta!, Winston-Salem Fashion Week, Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors, and other planned activities, September is going to be a busy month of big events in the Twin City. If you know something that’s happening, we hope you’ll add it to our events calendar — it could end up being featured in the newsletter.

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