Owned by Fred Miller and his wife Virginia Rowland Miller (who was born and raised on the land), Hilltop Farms of Willow Springs started out as a 44 acre Tobacco Farm in the 1750’s. Since Fred and his wife took over her family-owned farm, they reshaped the 44 acres into a tasteful 44 acre Organic Produce Farm. What makes Hilltop Farms different and unique from other local farms? The answer is all in the way they farm. First certified in 2004 to grow Certified Organic Produce and being the ONLY USDA Certified Organic Produce Farm in Wake County, they still hold that title today! Continuing to expand their knowledge and finding innovative ways to farm more organic produce for the community. You can find their fresh products at any of THESE fine stores and restaurants!

Priding themselves to growing organic products such as herbs, fruits, flowers, and vegetables of all sorts, protecting not only their soil but the community they feed. They use NO chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers on their crops along with their use of NON-GMO seeds. Although on our end we aren’t too sure of what some of these “icides” are, we know that we do NOT want them in our produce so knowing we have local Farmers ridding these chemicals from their crops makes us pride them for doing so.

Their Farm-stand recently opened to the public this past Saturday, February 12, 2022. Winter hours are 1pm – 4pm on the second and fourth Saturday’s of the month through March. Currently you can find fresh greens, Hilltop honey, eggs, Carolina mushrooms, and veggies!

Interested in Organic Farming? Looking to help better the quality of produce? Look no further than the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program Hilltop Farms offers on their farm. Farmer Fred explains it like this:

“A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a farm membership program that relies on its members to join prior to the start of the harvest season to provide the farm with “seed money” to purchase actual seed, fertilizer and so on for planting the new crop. In return for their support, members receive a weekly or bi-weekly delivery/pick-up of fresh, chemical-free vegetables grown on our farm! Please, check out our Harvest Schedule on the Join page that shows you what we intend to grow this year and what month to expect it’s harvest and find it in your weekly box!”

Want to join the team and learn more on how to sign up? There is still time to do so! Click HERE to learn all about how to sign up for the program, learn more about what you will be doing, the months worked, and so much more!

What can you find throughout the months of operation?

Arugula, Snap Beans, Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Collards, Corn,
Cucumbers, Eggplant, Kale, Lots of Lettuces, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onions, Okra,
Pac Choi, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Squash, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tatsoi, Lots of Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelons and Winter Squash!

Head over to their website to find some yummy recipes straight out of the families cookbook! Here is my personal favorite —–> Chinese Salad

Welcome Home to 252 Golf Vista Trail, Holly Springs | 12 Oaks

12 Oaks Golf Course Community is a family-oriented neighborhood that you will be happy to call home right in the heart of Holly Springs. This private club is filled with so many delightful and useful amenities you are certain to enjoy every day of the year whichever season it may be! On the grounds of 12 Oaks you will find the Clubhouse with an enchanting members-only dining room along with an upscale bar full of conversations with friends waiting to be had. Their award winning Golf Course designed by Jack Nicklaus is one that will keep you on the greens everyday. Enjoy private event spaces for parties of all kinds and three swimming complexes filled with saltwater and splashes during the hot months. The elegance and peace of mind that has surrounded this community is sure to bring homeowners tranquility and many memories throughout the years to come.

We spoke with the homeowners of 252 Golf Vista Trail and asked them a few questions regarding their beautiful abode. Here is what they had to say –

What first attracted you to your home?

“The neighborhood. We enjoyed the several amenities the neighborhood offered. Three pools with water slides, three playgrounds, greenways, and a clubhouse with a pub!”

Any memories in your home that you would like to share with your buyer?

“Enjoyed Summer nights on the large patio with firepit and music.”

What would you consider is your home’s best selling feature?

“The open floor plan allows family to all be together while still allowing separation for working from home.”

Anything about the location or neighborhood of your home you would like to share?

“Perfect location to Holly Springs and Apex. Holly Springs shopping center is 1 mile away and Downtown Apex is 10 minutes away!”

Anything else?

“The Clubhouse offers monthly events for families! i.e. Halloweenfest, Polar Express, Easter Brunch.”

This gorgeous home was sold in Coming Soon status and site unseen! WOW!

Happy New Year! Looks like our local real estate market will continue to be a buzz topic in 2022. The Wake county Register of Deeds office just reported December 2021’s Median Sales Price for Wake County Real Estate was $411,000, the highest of all-time, wow! Most of our numbers trended slightly lower however with a 10-30% increase over last year’s SALES PRICES!

We took an in-depth look at our 2021 housing market, in particular compared to our 2020 numbers. See our report Here.
2021 Year-end

Just like last year, we have a high number of new construction homes that had not closed yet so I took those numbers into account again as well. It looks like some of our new homes are starting to catch up a bit with supply so that is helping improve our inventory. This improvement is mainly being seen in the outer areas of our market; Harnett County home sales prices have increased by as much as 30% over 2020 pricing whereas Wake County was more in the 20% range.

Front Porch Realty has some exciting news; we now have a satellite office in downtown Clayton! This office location helps us round out our service to the entire west, south and east of the Triangle. Be sure and think of us if you have friends, family, or business partners Clayton way.

If you would rather receive this report by email, please let me know. In addition, if we can be of any assistance to you or your clients, rest assured they will be extremely satisfied with our level of professionalism and expertise. Please stay safe and we hope to see you real soon!

Fuquay-Varina’s very own Spice & Tea shop has arrived! Local native Rachel Sauls who grew up in Willow Springs, NC, attending both Fuquay Middle and High School, has opened up right in the Downtown Fuquay! She knew what she wanted to do, how she wanted to do it, and where she wanted to do it. Being a Fuquay native, she knew this would be home to her new Spice & Tea shop. Keeping her community and families heritage preserved in her home town was a no-brainer.

Her passion and drive comes from her Grandpa whom she admires immensely. He was a hard-working, well respected man who lived and worked on the family farm which has been in their family for generations. Although he recently passed, Rachel was determined to have him with her in her business.

Walking through the doors of Fuquay Spice & Tea, you will see beautiful furnishings which Rachel collected from the furniture he built in his Packhouse in the 1920’s. You will also find his mural hanging in the shop. Be sure to stop in and indulge in the scents that started her journey. Fuquay Spice & Tea offers a variety of mouth watering goodies. We can assure you there is nothing short of everything you need to prep the perfect meal. From the finest spices you can find, tasteful loose leaf teas, oils & vinegars, to finding local goodies! Check out their Facebook page to stay up to date on what’s new in store!

“I went to my first Spice and Tea shop out in Wilmington, NC. As soon as I entered, I immediately fell in love with the smells and the general atmosphere of the establishment. It was at that point I knew one day I would own my own spice and tea shop.”

-Rachel Sauls

Check out this charming home with numerous recent updates, it’s move-in ready! Located just outside of Fuquay-Varina in Willow Spring, you aren’t far from any of your necessities!

Beautiful, secluded home on a wooded .93 acre lot. New HVAC system, roof, and windows! Privacy in your own backyard with a beautiful view.

Another wonderful upgrade to this home, new wood laminate flooring throughout the living room area. Enjoy a gas log fireplace to enjoy on these cold winter nights ahead!

Enjoy a separate utility room attached to the kitchen. Kitchen has laminate tile for easy to clean messes. Back doorway leads to the back porch to enjoy a cup of coffee in the early mornings or a late night glass of wine while gazing out into your private backyard.

All Bedrooms have walk-in closets, you certainly are not short on closet space in this home! Master bathroom includes a double vanity, tiled floor, and beautiful chair rail molding!

Bonus time! Enjoy a pre-wired 10×12 Storage Building for all of your handy needs!

This home features a concrete driveway with a private fence around the yard!

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS AWESOME HOME! Listed at $305,000!

Call TODAY: 919-577-0175 to learn more!