April 21, 2014

Congratulations Greg Rapp ~ Preservation Craftsman & Professional of the Year!

Congratulations to REALTOR® Greg Rapp ~ Historic Salisbury Foundation 'Preservation Craftsman and Professional' Awardee 2014!

Greg Rapp with Wallace Realty is the market leader in Salisbury-Rowan County selling historic properties. In their announcement letter to Greg, Historic Salisbury Foundation states, "Your work to promote the sale of historic properties has been deemed exemplary by our committee, making you a preservation leader by example."

The HSF initiated the awards program a number of years ago to recognize members of the Salisbury-Rowan community who have made a significant contribution to the effort of Historic Preservation.

In the past year alone, Greg worked to sell:
  • The c. 1919 Stokes-Snider House, which has now been preserved and renovated into the wonderful Across The Pond bed & breakfast
  • The c. 1897 Old Salisbury Firehouse, one of Salisbury's most unique buildings that was once City Hall, the Firehouse, and the local jail!
  • The c. 1930's historic Flowers Bakery Building, most recently the home of East Square Artworks.
  • The c. 1882 Bernhardt Hardware Building ~ which is looking forward to its reincarnation with retail spaces on the main level and residential spaces above.
  • Not one, but TWO, circa 1900 homes in the Chestnut Hill Neighborhood, that were originally targeted for demolition but have now been the catalyst for a neighborhood revitalization project!
  • The c. 1906 home at 200 Mitchell Avenue, which will feature the "History Porch" during the Historic Salisbury Foundation's annual October Tour of Historic Homes.
  • The c. 1893 J. R. Silliman House, a fabulous Victorian in the Brooklyn South Square Historic Neighborhood.
  • The c. 1930 Arts & Crafts Bungalow at 1403 S. Fulton Street in the Fulton Heights Historic Neighborhood.
  • The c. 1924 Arts & Crafts Bungalow on Circle Drive, Salisbury NC.
  • The pre-WWII home, circa 1941, on Dukeville Road, on the property that was all part of Dukeville Village. Duke Energy established and maintained Dukeville Village as housing for employees and their families well into the 1950s. Employees paid rent, and their children attended a school located on Dukeville Road. 
 
The Historic Salisbury Foundation awards reception will be held Thursday May 22, 2014 at 6:30PM in the Salisbury Depot.  Tickets to the event are $20/person in advance and $25/person at the door.  You can call HSF at 704.636.0103 for tickets or more information.

We hope you will all join us on May 22nd at the awards reception to congratulate Greg Rapp on his achievement!


Greg Rapp
Wallace Realty Co.
704 213 6846 Mobile
704 636 2021 Office
www.realestatesalisbury.net







April 18, 2014

Another Success Story in the Fulton Heights Neighborhood, Salisbury North Carolina!

Working with REALTOR® Greg Rapp, a fortunate client just purchased TWO homes for the price of one in the desirable Fulton Heights Neighborhood of Salisbury, North Carolina.

Greg just closed the deal this week on the early 1900s homes at 400 Mitchell Avenue ~ a parcel that includes not one but TWO homes....the two adobe Mission Style home at 400 Mitchell its next door neighbor at 1218 Fries Street.  The Fries Street house is an income-producer for its owner.

Sold for just $105K, Greg Rapp's lucky client got two houses for the price of one! And the luck doesn't stop there!  Both homes got freshly painted exteriors in 2013 and new gutter guards. The circa 1927 Mission-Style home on Mitchell Street is a 3-bedroom home, and the 1200 square foot, 3-bedroom home at 1218 Fries Street has been rented for 11 years to the same person for $450 per month.

We'll admit that not every opportunity is a 'two-for-one' . . . and at such a great price . . . but if you're looking for a unique property opportunity in Salisbury NC, be sure to contact Greg Rapp, one of the area's most knowledgeable real estate agents who really KNOWS the area, and he'll help you find what you need!

Ready for your success story?  Call Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 and let's get your story started . . . and you can live happily ever after!

 







 

Greg Rapp
Realtor®
Wallace Realty
704 213 6846 Mobile
704 636 2021 Office
www.RealestateSalisbury.net
www.RealestateSalisbury.com
www.GregRapp.WallaceRealty.com


April 13, 2014

Newly Remodeled & Refurbished ~ Cute c. 1922 2-Bedroom Bungalow ~ FOR SALE Under $70K

Looks can be deceiving!  While this circa 1922 bungalow at 620 S. Ellis Street, Salisbury, North Carolina ~ just outside of the West Square Historic District in Salisbury, North Carolina, looks cute and small from the outside ~ it features an enclosed front porch, a very spacious living room and dining room, separated by French doors, and a center hallway from which you can access two nicely sized bedrooms, and a nicely upgraded kitchen, and a small utility room or breezeway to the back yard.  This charmer is FOR SALE for just $69,500 with REALTOR® Greg Rapp ~ (704)213-6846.


The large living and dining rooms both retain their original fireplaces from the early 1900s.  Look at the gleaming refurbished hardwood floors and freshly painted walls, floor moldings, and window trim!


The kitchen has had a complete gut and new overhaul. All the cupboards and countertops are brand new, with new subway tile back-splash.  You'll love having the high cabinets, and brand new dishwasher, gas stove, overhead microwave, and refrigerator.  Yes ~ all new appliances!! 


This charming 1922 2-bedroom bungalow was recently completely repainted within, from ceilings to walls to floor moldings and trim.  All the hardwood floors throughout the home have been refinished (the front sunroom/porch is in process), and the bathroom has a new basketweave ceramic tile floor, in keeping with the era of the original home, new tub and shower surround, and new sink and vanity.




The deep lot has lots of mature shade trees with loads of potential for gardening and outdoor living spaces.  The garden shed in the back yard conveys with the property.



At some point someone enclosed the sunny front porch, creating a sunroom before entering the formal front door.  This room is still in process and currently needs to be upfitted with attractive flooring, but will be a most pleasant place to sit and enjoy morning coffee and the newspaper, or an evening libation enjoying breezes and watching the neighborhood go by.  Speaking of neighborhoods, 620 S. Ellis Street is behind and slightly south of the locally famous circa 1902 chateauesque Wallace-Hambley Mansion on S. Fulton Street, and is just outside the West Square Historic District, known as 'Old Salisbury'.  


620 S. Ellis Street is close to Salisbury High School, another advantage for someone who may have high-school aged children, and close to downtown Salisbury's theaters, shops, restaurants, and galleries.

You'll be surprised at the spacious feel of this 1150 square foot home at 620 S. Ellis Street.  Contact REALTOR® Greg Rapp to see 620 S. Ellis Street.. . . a nice clean house for under $70K with yearly taxes under $600!




Greg Rapp 
Realtor® 
Wallace Realty 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.RealestateSalisbury.net www.RealestateSalisbury.com www.GregRapp.WallaceRealty.com


April 12, 2014

Old-Timey Downtown Storefront ~ circa 1900 ~ FOR SALE in Downtown Salisbury!

One of the last true remaining general stores* in North Carolina is FOR SALE!  Greg Rapp ~ (704) 213-6846 ~ will get you connected to the BEST location in Salisbury for your business!

No matter where you live, you probably pass buildings from days-gone-by on your daily commute. If not buildings, then maybe signs, whether they are on billboards or sides of buildings. All of these items harken back to an earlier time; a time when the area was more vibrant. Now these reminders of yesteryear, often replaced by suburban shopping malls, a changing population, or economics, these store fronts and signs are falling into our distant memories. Often. . . but not in Salisbury North Carolina, where preservation and restoration thrive!

Picture a general store built over 100 years ago with high tin ceilings, wood floors characterized by time, and original shelves full of items that are as useful and decorative today as they were "back in the day." The long-standing general store at 126 E. Innes Street* in Salisbury, North Carolina, has forever been a source of new, old, and original merchandise. And now this fabulous building, built before the trolley system traversed the streets of downtown Salisbury, is FOR SALE. You have to see it to believe it!



Currently the Okey Dokey & Co. General Store, this 8300 (above grade) square-foot brick building, circa 1900, on the main drag from Interstate I-85 into downtown Salisbury, has enormous possibilities.



The large, open, first floor is 4130 square feet of open space. Restrooms are located on this level.



The second floor houses 3 offices, a bathroom, and one large nearly 80' x 32' area, that at one time was an indoor roller rink!  This second story space could foresee-ably be converted to apartments or living space. 



126 E. Innes Street has been most notably a general store for most of its 114 years of life. It has most recently been the Okey-Dokey General Store, and before that, O.O. Rufty's General Store. Located in the Downtown Salisbury Historic District, it has been a tourist attraction complete with creaky wooden floors, old fashioned candy jars, hoop cheese, and glass bottle drinks including Nehi and Crush.  


This store has been the heartbeat of 'The Square' for some time (the 100-blocks to the east/west/north/south of the main intersection of Main & Innes Streets in Salisbury is known as The Square). The general store was the gathering place and the center of activity in days gone past . . . and in Salisbury, it still is.

The storefront at 126 E. Innes Street has a fun history, as one might expect from a turn-of-the-century downtown building.  In addition to its life as a general store, the building used to house a roller rink on its second floor. Back in the day, entrepreneurs often found 'interesting' uses for their second story spaces. The historic Fifty-Fifty building on E. Bank street used to host 'Bare Knuckle Boxing' in the depression, and there were a few Burlesque theaters in town too! Items were purchased from O.O. Rufty's for the movie 'The Color Purple' to create a general store set. The general store in the movie, often thought to be O.O. Rufty's, was modeled after the Salisbury general store.




The full basement is dry and usable, offering the owner another 4100+ square feet of storage, or other, space. (One of Downtown Salisbury's shops houses not only retail space in their large basement, but has a small wine bar!)


The total square footage for all 3 floors, including the basement, is 12,390. That's a lot of retail and storage space . . . located on East Innes St. that sees approximately a 22,000 car count per day.

There is a parking area to rear, and next to one of the City's nicely refinished municipal parking lots that features lighting and plantings. 

Businesses and business owners in Downtown Salisbury NC get support from Downtown Salisbury Inc., a non-profit organization formed for just that reason ~ to support the downtown area, implementing programs and activities that support vitality in the downtown. 

The City of Salisbury additionally offers support in the form of MSD grants (Municipal Service District) and Innes Street Grants. The City is also working on an incentive program to support the development of living spaces in the second stories along Salisbury's downtown streets.

In an era where historic buildings and community icons** are quickly disappearing from the landscape ~ from general stores to barber shops to theatres ~ this can be your opportunity to preserve and be a part of North Carolina’s cultural heritage. 


The general store at 126 E. Innes Street, Salisbury NC is for sale ~ at just $275,000 – and offers both you and your future customers a wonderful backward glance at the commerce and family enterprise that once existed in every North Carolina town. Call Greg Rapp to take a tour of your new business space in the best location in Downtown Salisbury!




126 INNES STREET EAST Salisbury, NC 28144
$275,000
MLS #: C56243



























Greg Rapp
Realtor® 
Wallace Realty 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office www.RealestateSalisbury.net 
www.RealestateSalisbury.com 
www.GregRapp.WallaceRealty.com



* The MLS listing is for the building only. Please inquire about the sale of the general store business itself: Greg Rapp (704) 213-6846.

** Photographer Mike Lassiter spent six years traveling across the state of North Carolina photographing the historic buildings and community icons that were quickly disappearing from the landscape. The result is an indispensable guide to North Carolina’s cultural heritage – Our Vanishing Americana : A North Carolina Portrait - beautifully photographed and accompanied by Lee Grant’s entertaining essays, each chapter offers a wonderful backward glance at the commerce and family enterprise that once existed in every North Carolina town. Order a copy of this beautiful hard-cover book from the Literary Bookpost, 110 S. Main Street, Salisbury NC - (704) 630-9788


 

April 08, 2014

Historic Circa 1897 Old Salisbury Firehouse ~ SOLD by Greg Rapp

On the evening of Tuesday, February 18th, 2014, REALTOR® Greg Rapp posted the following article in www.realestatesalisbury.com:

http://www.realestatesalisbury.net/2014/02/historic-firehouse-for-sale-right-in.html

That same evening, Greg posted the article to his Salisbury North Carolina Real Estate Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Salisbury-North-Carolina-Real-Estate/159392450884081).

By 7:30am on Wednesday, February 19th, Greg got a call from local businessman Todd Littleton to purchase the historic Old Salisbury Firehouse at 113 S. Lee Street in the heart of downtown Salisbury's entertainment district.  Today ~ Tuesday April 8, 2014 ~ they close the deal ~ and the circa 1897 Firehouse will begin its next reincarnation.

Actually, Greg's phone, email, and Facebook pages blew up when he posted this building for sale.  It's the advantage of being a REALTOR® with online presence!  And as one of the most unique and perhaps 'coolest' buildings in downtown Salisbury NC, its availability sparked interest from a good many people interested in locating businesses in the thriving downtown district.

Local bar Benchwarmers’ owner Todd Littleton, who said work will begin soon on a $500,000 makeover of that business' exterior at 113 E. Fisher St., may open a small-batch brewery and taproom in the historic Old Salisbury Firehouse around the corner at 113 S. Lee St.  Because a facade renovation and microbrewery development aren’t enough to keep him busy, Littleton also has purchased a 10,000-square-foot former transmission shop at 215 E. Innes St. next to the old Foil Motor Building, which he plans to turn into a live music venue. That will take about five years, he said.  He praised plans by other downtown developers and business owners to expand or redevelop properties.  Littleton said it will take all these components coming together for Downtown Salisbury really be a destination.  Salisbury already has a thriving theater scene ~ we are almost there. (read the Salisbury Post article by Emily Ford HERE)

“The district itself is holding its own. The businesses that are there are bringing in quite a bit of traffic to that area, including Uncle Bucks and Go Burrito,” said Greg Rapp, the real estate agent who represented Littleton in the sale of the circa 1897 Old Salisbury Firehouse.  People like Rapp and Mark Lewis, president of Downtown Salisbury, Inc., say the entertainment district expands beyond the bricks to include businesses on the periphery of East Fisher Street like Go Burrito on West Fisher and Emma’s and the Perfect Smoke on South Lee. Uncle Bucks also plugs into the scene from its new location, nearby at 127 S. Main St. 

"Downtown has been waiting for more development", Rapp said. "The planned expansions and redevelopments would have a positive impact on not only the entertainment district but the central business district as a whole", he said.  "Downtown [Salisbury] is ready to bust open at the seams,” says Rapp. “It just takes people to take a chance.” 

Moral of the Story:

List with REALTOR® Greg Rapp ~ sell your home or building!
Work with REALTOR® Greg Rapp ~ get the home or building you want!


Greg Rapp
REALTOR®
Wallace Realty
704 213 6846 Mobile
704 636 2021 Office
www.RealestateSalisbury.net www.RealestateSalisbury.com www.GregRapp.WallaceRealty.com

April 07, 2014

Perfect Live/Work Opportunity! Own the Webb Road Mini Storage and Home ~ $550K

(Editor's Note 10/22/2014: This listing is now at $500,000!) 

REALTOR® Greg Rapp has the perfect live/work opportunity for you!Live and work on your property, or use this as an income producing business!


Check out Webb Road Mini Storage at 2415 Webb Road,Salisbury, NC 28146. This home and (4) mini-storage buildings on 4.4 +/- acres right off Interstate 85 may be just the opportunity for the live/work scenario you’ve been looking for. The (4) mini-storage buildings have 87 units designed as follows:


  • (1) 20' x 100' building;
  • (1) 30' x 100' building; and
  • (2) 35' x 100' buildings


The mini-storage business began in 2001 and keeps its occupancy consistently in the 93% range!

The 2415 WEBB ROAD opportunity includes an all-brick, single story house, with just over 1500 square feet, 2 bedrooms, and 2.5 baths. A nice wood deck at the rear of the home overlooks the property. The large gravel drive will support parking for multiple vehicles, and is nicely terraced and landscaped at the back of the home. Contact Greg Rapp to see lots more pictures of kitchen, living rooms, bed and bath rooms!

The large, finished, walk-out basement is 722 square feet with a fireplace. The basement is where the current office for the min-storage business is situated. The half-bath is located here.


The home has an attached 2-car garage. The property also has a separate over-sized 2-car garage and a small implement shed. A small creek runs behind the shed.

On over 4 acres, the mini-storage buildings are a good distance from the house ~ offering living privacy away from the business portion of the property. The Webb Road Mini Storage is just 1.5 miles from Exit 70-Webb Road ramp on I-85 ~ a great and convenient location.


This is a great long-term investment with room to grow! Contact Greg Rapp at (704) 213-6846 to see more photos...or to visit the property yourself and visualize living in this spacious country setting ~ 2415 WEBB ROAD might be just the live/work income producing property you've been waiting for!


MLS# C56240
Greg Rapp 
REALTOR® 
Wallace Realty 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.RealEstateSalisbury.net 
www.RealEstateSalisbury.com 



April 03, 2014

Success! Another Salisbury Property SOLD! List With Greg Rapp!


This beautiful buff-brick home at 411 St. John's Drive, listed by Greg Rapp/Wallace Realty, just SOLD.

This 2400+ square foot, full brick, custom-built home sits on over an acre of property. One of the greatest features of this spacious and immaculate home is the enormous living room with its gas fireplace that opens to breakfast area, kitchen, and patio.. . perfect for anyone inclined to entertain!  The kitchen fairly gleams with granite countertops and custom cherry cabinets. The breakfast room overlooks the sprawling picturesque back yard & elevated rear patio. The home features hardwood & tile floor throughout.  And most importantly  . . . this home is SOLD!

4 Steps to House-Selling Success

  • Step 1: Plan and Prepare to Sell Your House
  • Step 2: Get a REALTOR
  • Step 3: Set the Price
  • Step 4: Market it
 
Step 1:  Plan & Prepare


You want to sell your home . . . but . . .are you ready?
The home-selling process typically starts several months before a property is made available for sale. It's necessary to look at a home through the eyes of a prospective buyer and determine what needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired and tossed out. Ask yourself: If you were buying this home what would you want to see?  The goal is to show a home which looks good, maximizes space and attracts as many buyers ~ and as much demand ~ as possible.

Step 2: Get a REALTOR

Before placing a home on the market you should also identify REALTORS® in your community who can assist with the sale.  There are more than 2 million people nationwide who have licenses to sell real estate, of which about over 1 million members belong to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Only NAR members are entitled to use the term "REALTOR®."  NAR members must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. By joining NAR, individuals have access to a wide range of classes, seminars and certification opportunities. Local REALTOR® groups are active in community matters, and individual members are routinely involved in municipal, non-profit, and neighborhood organizations.

A local REALTOR® like Greg Rapp is a community expert. He tracks real estate trends, shares neighborhood concerns, and participate in local matters. Like many REALTORS®, he is a good neighbor who enjoys helping others buy and sell homes.

Step 3:  Price!!!

Every reasonable owner wants the best possible price and terms for his or her home. Several factors, including market conditions and interest rates, will determine how much you can get for your home. The idea is to get the maximum price and the best terms during the window of time when your home is being marketed.

All homes have a price, and sometimes more than one. There's the price owners would like to get, the value buyers would like to offer and a point of agreement which can result in a sale.

In considering home values, several factors are important:
  • The value of your home relates to local sale prices. The same home, located elsewhere, would likely have a different value.
  • Sale prices are a product of supply and demand. It is important to understand if the current market in your area is a buyer's market, where the purchaser has more leverage, or if a seller's market is in place, where sellers have more leverage. It's important to be realistic.
  • Owner needs can impact sale values. If an owner "must" sell quickly, that home seller will have less leverage in the marketplace. Buyers may think the owner is willing to close quickly at a lower price -- and they may be right. If you have no incentive to sell quickly, you may have more marketplace strength and can potentially wait for the best offer.
  • Sale prices are not based on what owners "need." When an owner says, "I must sell for $400,000 because I need $100,000 in cash to buy my next home," buyers will examine whether $400,000 is a reasonable price for the property. If similar homes in the same community are selling for $290,000, the seller will not be successful.
  • Sale prices are NOT the whole deal. Which would you rather have: A sale price of $200,000, or a sale price of $205,000 but where you agree to make a "seller contribution" of $5,000 to offset the buyer's closing costs, pay a $2,000 allowance for repairs, mortgage points, re-painting, and leave the appliances?

An experienced REALTOR® like Greg Rapp is active in the local marketplace and can provide assistance with pricing, marketing, negotiation and closing.  Because he has handled many transactions, he is familiar with the terms and conditions that went into each individual sale, not just published sale prices which may not reflect market conditions, discounts, and adjustments.

Step 4:  Market your home!

With the fluidity in the real estate world, REALTORS® need to craft marketing plans specifically for individual homes and market conditions.  Selling can entail a variety of marketing strategies. Once listed, it's likely your agent will quickly enter it into the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and may market it by mail with new-listing announcements, and regular newsletters. Open houses, broker access to the home via the use of a lock box and networking with both local and out-of-town brokers are also common.  Much of a broker's work will be quiet and unseen -- yet important. The quiet telephone calls, the work with contacts, the follow-ups with open-house visitors, conversations with ad respondents, the web postings and other outreach efforts are all part of the process required to sell homes.

The Internet is an important factor in real estate marketing and will be vital in the future. Greg Rapp, REALTOR® in Salisbury, North Carolina, has one of the best online presences in the local real estate market.  List with Greg, and your property gets marketing opportunities that many agents miss.

Facebook.com ~ Salisbury North Carolina Real Estate
SUCCESS STORY!

If you'd like to be sharing your success story in selling your home ~ call Greg Rapp at (704) 213-6846 ~ especially when you are (1) Ready! (2) Need a REALTOR® (3) Need a price! . . . and (4) Want it marketed!  It's never too late!