Picture-Perfect: West End Craftsman property is first 'infill' Parade Association Home

Richard Alexander loves a challenge. A Clemson graduate with a degree in construction science, Alexander has been building homes in the Triad ever since he graduated, and his latest project — the 2008 Home Builders Association Parade Association Home — is one that is going to generate a lot of conversation.

"I'm excited about a bunch of things with this house," Alexander said during an interview at the homesite. "I have wanted to do a house like this for a while, and doing it for HBA is just perfect. I have a strong desire to do in-town projects, and I have always loved Craftsman-style homes, so when my agent, Claire Fader of Leonard Ryden Burr, found the lot, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the Parade house."

Cyber Shopping

According to the 2007 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 84 percent of people looking for a new residence used the Internet to search for a home. After searching the Web for potential properties, three out of four buyers drove by or viewed a home that they first found online, and buyers across the board agree that the Internet is a "very useful" tool when searching for a home.

Savvy real-estate companies realize that the Internet is here to stay as a home-marketing tool, and many have created comprehensive Web sites to assist their clients with a property search. However, Prudential Carolinas Realty is taking the technology even further and expanding its Web site to help buyers and sellers have even more access to homes, land and businesses.

Home, Sweet Townhome

Davidson County has become a popular destination for homebuyers in recent years, and many new neighborhoods have attracted families looking for an accessible and affordable address. One of these developments, Fernhill, is now an established community of single-family homes, and with the addition of Beaumont at Fernhill, buyers looking for the ease of townhome living will have a great option.

"Fernhill is a small community in the northern part of Davidson County with low taxes and great schools," said Coldwell Banker Triad, Realtors' Cindy Johnson. "There are over 20 acres of common area surrounding the community and plenty of walking, biking and play areas."

Fruit of the Vine

Patria Properties' Robin Weant knows a thing or two about buying a vineyard. A hobbyist winemaker whose bottles have won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Dixie Classic Fair, Weant has created a vintner's version of nirvana in Lewisville, and she is eager to let select clients benefit from her experience.

"I have been in real estate since 1985," Weant said during an interview at her vineyard. "I love selling land so much that I decided to find a niche in the real-estate market that included land sales. The wine industry is huge in North Carolina, so it was a natural fit."