Responsive and Trusted!

 

We treat your property like our own. Local, dedicated property management. Personal professional service at very competitive rates. Get a full market assessment of your rental property to see how we can generate more income for you while creating stability in the long term. Learn about our industry leading services & experience. Ask about our exclusive discounts for multiple properties. Full service management from Carolina Living Real Estate and Property Management, equals a stress-free rental home.

Award Winning Customer Service.

Carolina Living Real Estate and Property Management rented out our property in less than 30 days at ZERO extra Charge! The tenants were thoroughly screened and the 1^st year and renewal worked out perfectly. They completed needed repairs quickly when needed, while being very proactive in communicating with us. They were always easy to contact.

 

Janine Lafferty owner of 2 properties managed by Carolina Living for over 10 years

 

· Get a Quality Tenant Who Cares For The Property and Pays On Time.

· Get The Property To Its Fair Market Rental Rate & Outperform Past Results.

· Tenant Calls and Maintenance Issues Handled with Competitive Pricing.

· Minimize Liability While Holding Tenants Accountable.

· You & Your Home Stay in Legal Compliance.

 

We're Your Local Experts

Property Management For Forsyth County, NC. And surrounding areas!

'Done Right' Promise | Online Owner Portal & Direct Deposit | Tenant Placement Guarantee | Eviction Protection Program

 

Carolina Living Property Management

Forsyth County, NC

 

"Whether you own one rental home or several investment properties, Carolina Living Real Estate and Property Management is experienced in meeting the demands of property management.  We know what works, what rents to market for, and how to get more out of your rental property – all at a competitive price. (8%)"

 

Roby Robertson

Broker/ Owner Caroling Living Real Estate and PM

 

Your Market Assessment Includes:

A market analysis for your rental property.

An on-site property evaluation.

We'll determine the opportunities to increase your revenue.

A quote for our award-winning property management service

Learn More About Carolina Living Real Estate and Property Management Here

Winston Salem | FSBOs Reach All-Time Low, More Sellers Rely on Agents

 

Information courtesy of National Association of Realtors.

Fewer homeowners are completing a For Sale By Owner transaction and heavily turning to real estate agents for guidance.

The number of homeowners trying to sell their home by themselves hit another record low this year—following last year’s previous low. That may be because sellers who go it alone often express regrets, while those who work with a real estate agent are reporting higher sales prices and a far less stressful experience.

For Sale By Owner transactions—better known as FSBOs—comprised just 5% of home sales during the past few years, beating out last year’s lowest on record of 7%, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Meanwhile, a record high of 91% of home sellers sold their home with the assistance of a real estate agent.

“Real estate agents remain indispensable in today’s complex housing market,” says Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist. “Beyond guiding buyers and sellers through what is often the largest financial decision of their lives, agents provide critical expertise, negotiation skills and emotional support during an increasingly challenging process.”

The FSBO market share has been gradually shrinking over the last four decades, even as technological advances have entered more aspects of a real estate transaction. In 1985, FSBO sales comprised up to 21% of home sales. The FSBO share has stayed mostly in the single digits since 2010.

Read the rest of the article at:  NAR FSBO's Are Using Agents.

As Always, contact me if you want a no obligation consultation regarding you real estate needs!

Winston Salem - Your Go To Place for Tips on Making Your Best Home

 

We have found a great website for those that are looking for ways to upgrade their home for sale or their own enjoyment.  

The integrity of 'The Spruce' is impeccable.   Here is a synopsis of their mission:

We are committed to the quality and trustworthiness of our content and editorial processes. Our team of writers, editors, fact checkers, illustrators, photographers, and medical and financial professionals rigorously researches and reviews all content on an ongoing basis to ensure it is up to date, accurate, and puts the needs of our readers first.

Here is a great link for your Home Design and Decorating desires.

As always,  if you want to discuss your Real Estate needs with zero obligation,   just contact me to talk.   

Winston Salem | Is For Sale By Owner Worth It

 

"I WANT TO SELL MY HOME AND THE THOUGHT OF SAVING MONEY BY SELLING IT WITHOUT A REAL ESTATE AGENT IS ENTICING. FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT, IS IT WORTH IT TO SELL IT BY MYSELF?"

 

Unfortunately, it could very well be a bad decision to not hire a qualified real estate agent. That's because a real estate agent's expertise in determining an initial list price and their ability to successfully market your home not to mention their experience in home sale negotiations and innumerable other areas of real estate will more than likely offset any financial savings from selling your home yourself. It's also very possible that you'll end up losing money by not using a real estate agent. According to a 2024 survey by the National Association of REALTORS, the average for sale by owner (FSBO) home sold for $380,000, while the average agent-assisted home sale was $435,00 a difference of $55,000 (12.6 percent). These averages don't include other costs for a FSBO sale such as marketing, listing photos and staging, and any required legal fees. Yes, every situation is different and you could certainly have success selling your home yourself, but if you consider that a typical agent's commission is negotiable, why take the chance that you could sell your home for so much less just to avoid that commission? In the end, if you want to maximize your profit, it's best to go with a professional.

Let me help you decide with no pressure to hire me.   Free Consultation is always part of my services.  

Information contributed by Ken Byrne at Alcova Mortgage. 

Advance NC. Brand New Townhome Offered For Rent

 

BRAND NEW 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse available 10/22//2025. This townhome features luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the main level. Open floorplan offers a spacious kitchen with granite counters, lots of cabinets and counter space and a huge island and a large family room. Upstairs you will find a Primary ensuite, loft perfect for office or lounge area, full bath and 2 additional bedrooms. Once car garage. Refrigerator, washer and dryer furnished. Utilities are the responsibility of lessor. Pets are conditional and all applicants must do online application. In addition, pet screening app is required even if you do not have one. Prescreening is free unless a pet us being considered.

Priced at $1795 a month

Winston Salem Buyers | Base your negotiations on market value, not just asking price

 

My strategy is to calculate the value of a property. This, rather than the asking price, 

is the starting point for negotiation. It may require an offer above present market value in hot markets to get a home under contract. 

 Many people want to lowball, making an offer that will never be accepted. I advise against this. It does not reveal anything about the seller’s position. I like to offer just below the minimum the seller is likely willing to accept. The seller is forced to decide to accept just a little less than their minimum but, if not, will be forced to counter aggressively not to turn away a strong buyer. 

The analogy I use is tennis: It doesn’t matter how hard your first serve is. If you do not get the ball in play, that first serve is wasted.” 

 Relying on the asking price alone is risky, especially in a shifting or competitive market. Serious negotiators anchor their offers in data-backed property value, not emotion or wishful pricing. Knowing the home’s true worth helps you craft realistic offers and puts pressure on the other side to respond strategically, not defensively! 

 Contact me for a no obligation consultation on your needs and want

Winston Salem Property Management | Remove the Tenant Chaos

 Let Carolina Living Real Estate Handle all your Rental and Property Management needs!

Contact us today to have a no obligation discussion.

Winston Salem | More Selling Tips From Carolina Living

 

Your Winston Salem Realtor For Life

Does the husband have to sign listing paperwork if

the wife owns the property and the couple is getting divorced?

QUESTION: A prospective seller-client has asked me to list her home. She is married and getting divorced, but she is not divorced yet. She is the only party named in the deed since she bought the home before the marriage, and she says that she has a pre-nup that makes it clear that he gets nothing if the property is sold. Does the husband need to sign the listing agreement, and if we go under contract, does he have to sign the deed?

ANSWER: The pre-nuptial agreement may be sufficient, but you will have to consult with an attorney to confirm. If the pre-nup is not sufficient, you will need a quitclaim deed, free-trader agreement, or a power of attorney from the husband to the wife in order to avoid having the husband sign the listing agreement, the purchase contract, and the deed.

The revised Guidelines for Completing the Offer to Purchase and Contract (Form 2G) discuss this scenario and give some helpful background:

If Seller(s) is married, both Seller and their spouse always must sign the contract. This is true even if the Property is owned by only one spouse. The non-owner spouse holds a potential “marital life estate” and a “right to dissent from the will” under North Carolina law and must sign the deed in order for the other spouse to convey clear title. The signature of the non-owner spouse on the contract will obligate that spouse to join in signing the deed. If the married Sellers have executed and recorded a pre-nuptial agreement, post-nuptial agreement, or a free trader agreement consult a North Carolina real estate attorney to determine who must sign.

The “marital life estate” mentioned in the guidelines comes from N.C.G.S. § 29-30. As a simple example of how this statute works, pretend a husband is married, and he owned property before the marriage. The husband then sells his separate property during the marriage without his wife joining in the transaction. If the husband then dies, the wife can elect to take a life estate in her now deceased-husband’s, formerly-owned, separate property. Even though the property was owned by the husband before marriage, and even though the husband did not own the property at death, the wife never conveyed her right to a marital life estate which she obtained when she became married.

As you can see, a marital life estate under section 29-30 is not an ownership interest in property, but it is an important right that can create an encumbrance on title, even while a couple is in the process of getting a divorce.

Any time you are approached by a seller who is getting divorced, be sure to ask them whether the other spouse has signed a quitclaim deed or a power of attorney to facilitate the sale. If the answer is “no,” then you will need to consult with an attorney to see if what the seller has will be sufficient, whether that is a pre-nup agreement, post-nup agreement, or a free-trader agreement.

Note that even separation agreements and orders from the court awarding a spouse a particular property might not address the life estate election raised by section 29-30, and legal counsel may be necessary.

If you are going to engage in agency with a non-owner divorcing spouse because the owner-spouse does not have the paperwork mentioned above to avoid it, then make sure you have the non-owner spouse sign the listing agreement and the purchase contract. You should also be relatively certain that the non-owner spouse will cooperate in good faith with both you and the owner-spouse.

Divorcing couples rarely have an easy relationship. If you fail to ensure that the non-owner spouse has a direct contractual relationship with you as the agent, and with the buyer as a seller, then the owner-spouse may not have many options to make sure the non-owner spouse signs the deed at closing. The potential for breach contract claims, both as to the agency agreement and the purchase contract, are therefore essential to making sure the non-owner spouse has sufficient incentive to close, even if the divorce is (or becomes) contentious.

Release Date: 9/4/2025

© Copyright 2025. North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

This article is intended solely for the benefit of NC REALTORS® members, who may reproduce and distribute it to other NC REALTORS® members and their clients, provided it is reproduced in its entirety without any change to its format or content, including disclaimer and copyright notice, and provided that any such reproduction is not intended for monetary gain. Any unauthorized reproduction, use or distribution is prohibited.

Winston Salem | Idea for Getting Your Home Sold

 Your Winston Salem Realtor For Life!

Remember, meeting and asking questions never costs you anything.   Let me help with you with one of your most important decisions.

Winston Salem | We Can Guide You Through the Selling Process.

 Winston Salem, We Can Guide you through selling Your Home in a Tough Market!

Please know if you contact me, there is never an obligation to move forward!   

Winston Salem Real Estate | Hire Your Advocate and Professional

 

A native Winston Salem, I am here to help in anyway I can.   It is not about how much money I make, it is about getting you the best deal I can.

Contact me for a no obligation consultation!

Winston Salem | Navigate the Real Estate Market With Carolina Living Real Estate

 

Feel Free to Contact Roby Robertson for a no obligation consultation.   The market can be challenging but we can help guide you through it.

Winston Salem | Disclosure of an off-site condition?

What are an agent’s duties regarding disclosure 

of an off-site condition?

QUESTION: A broker in our office who represents a buyer recently put a home under contract. During the home inspection this week, the buyer was standing outside the house and heard a train go by. It was not visible but the buyer was upset that the existence of a railroad track in close proximity to the back side of the property was not disclosed on the Residential Property and Owners’ Association Disclosure Statement. The seller checked the “No Representation” box on all the questions on the Disclosure Statement.

The buyer intends to terminate the contract. It is within the Due Diligence period, so the buyer has the right to do so and receive a refund of his Earnest Money Deposit. However, the buyer also wants to recover his Due Diligence Fee and the home inspector’s fee because he feels that the presence of the railroad track should have been disclosed and that the sellers have somehow breached the contract. Does the existence of an active train track (that is not visible from the house) have to be disclosed by the seller? Did the seller breach the contract? If not, does the buyer have a claim for damages against the listing agent?

ANSWER: Under North Carolina law, sellers have very limited disclosure obligations to buyers. While sellers may not misrepresent facts, or fraudulently conceal a defect in their property, the general rule is caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. Here, there is no evidence that the seller has misrepresented anything nor actively concealed the existence of the track. As a result, we do not believe that the seller has breached the contract.

Unlike sellers, REALTORS® are required both by statute and by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics to disclose all material facts to their own clients and to the other parties involved in a real estate transaction. Licensees are subject to disciplinary action and potential civil liability for failing to disclose a material fact.

In some cases, it is not easy to determine whether a fact is sufficiently “material” to require disclosure. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission has identified three categories of facts that must be disclosed if the agent has knowledge of those facts OR if the agent should reasonably be aware of those facts: (1) facts about the property itself, (2) facts that relate directly to the property, and (3) facts that relate directly to the ability of a principal to complete the transaction.

The second category, facts that relate directly to the property, are typically external factors that affect the use, desirability or value of a property. Examples given in the Real Estate Commission’s Real Estate Manual are a pending zoning change, the existence of restrictive covenants, plans to widen an adjacent street, and plans to build a shopping center on adjacent property.

In determining whether a particular “external factor” sufficiently affects the use, desirability or value of a property so as to require disclosure, a reasonableness standard should be applied. Ask yourself whether the external factor would affect a reasonable prospective buyer’s decision to buy the property. In the situation you have described, the close proximity of the track to the listed property militates in favor of disclosure because the noise produced by passing trains could certainly be substantial enough to affect the normal use and enjoyment of the property.

Agents on both sides of the transaction have a duty to discover facts which, through reasonable diligence, should be known to them. When those facts are material, they must be disclosed. Here, the existence of an active railroad track adjacent to the subject property likely should have been discovered by both agents and disclosed to the prospective buyer BEFORE the buyer made an offer for the property. Thus, in our view, both agents (and possibly their firms) face potential disciplinary action and/or civil liability for failing to disclose the track to the prospect before the property went under contract.

© Copyright 2013 - 2025. North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

This article is intended solely for the benefit of NC REALTORS® members, who may reproduce and distribute it to other NC REALTORS® members and their clients, provided it is reproduced in its entirety without any change to its format or content, including disclaimer and copyright notice, and provided that any such reproduction is not intended for monetary gain. Any unauthorized reproduction, use or distribution is prohibited.

Winston Salem | Selling Your Home? A Kitchen Clean Up Pays Off

When it comes to selling a home, a kitchen clean up pays. You don't have to do an expensive remodel to make your kitchen appealing to buyers. If you're starting with a good kitchen space, then making a few inexpensive modifications can help you get your home noticed and sell for more money.

Here are a few things to start with:

Some people like to leave every single appliance that they've used in the last week out, but, to show good space,you're going to have to clear your counters. One of the major mistakes sellers make is leaving the kitchen, or their home, the everyday way they live in it. The way you sell and show a home is not usually the way you live in it. Yes, it may be an inconvenience but it's worth the hassle if it brings in more money when your home sells.

Look around your kitchen and see what you can put away.

The more empty the counter tops, the better. A few subtle decorations that bring your kitchen to life are perfect. Leave open space for buyers to imagine their own belongings in your kitchen.

If you have any low-hanging pots and pans on racks from the walls or ceilings, consider removing them and patch the holes. Unless the rack is very necessary or really nice decor that doesn't block views or hang too low, removing it will help create a greater feeling of spaciousness.

Wipe the counter tops thoroughly.

Sounds so ridiculously simple and obvious. But many sellers forget to do this and the counter tops are left sticky or with stains on them. A little elbow grease could remove a wine stain or watermark and make the kitchen look much more cared-for.

No island? No problem. 

If you don't have an island in your kitchen but have some extra room, a rolling butcher block island works like a charm for adding convenient working space and a sophisticated look. You might also have some delicious-smelling freshly baked cookies out alongside your flyers for open houses.

Get some light in the kitchen.

If you have all recessed lighting, you might try adding a few pendant lights. They add a completely different look and can be quite attractive.

Change your flooring if it's very old, torn up, or outdated.

Putting in some inexpensive flooring that gives an updated look will help. You don't have to spend lots of money and get the best flooring around; just make sure your flooring doesn't make your home look like it's in a time warp.

Add some plants and greenery to the kitchen.

Using fresh herbs in simple containers is a great way to add some pretty decor plus their lovely aromatic odors help buyers think about the meals they'd cook in your kitchen.

Clean up or replace old worn-down appliances.

You can sell the home with appliances "as is" but a broken dishwasher, for instance, is a point of price negotiation. You can expect buyers to want some money off or for it to be replaced.

The kitchen is one of the most important areas of a home for most buyers, even if they don't cook. Taking the time to enhance it before you list your home will help make sure your home sells for top dollar.

Information provided by RealtyTimes

Winston Salem | This Document Is Boring, But It Will Save You THOUSANDS when buying or Selling Real Estate

 

Great information from one of our Partner Real Estate Attorneys,   It is my job to stay on top of things making your transaction go smoothly.   This is one of our resources.   This is a good watch!

Winston Salem | Financial Benefits of Being Pet Friendly

This information is courtesy of PetScreening.com.      Please keep in mind that while this article references Apartments and/or multi-family properties, it also applies to single family homes which we manage.   

There are many benefits to multifamily communities being pet-friendly, including happier residents, an improved reputation and more homes available for pets that don’t have one. But the residual effects don’t stop there.

Another major benefit is that it widens the pool of prospective residents. According to Apartments.com, more than 70% of renters own a pet, yet many of them indicated that pet-friendly housing is hard to come by.

In addition to attracting new residents, apartment operators will often experience an increase in renewal rates by becoming pet-friendly. While pet owners tend to stay in an apartment home for an average of 46 months, non-pet owners stay an average of just 18 months, according to the Foundation for Interdisciplinary Research and Education Promoting Animal Welfare. This places an average value of $63,572 on a pet-owning resident, compared to a value of $24,875 on a non-pet owner.

Less vacancy, plus increased renewal rates, equals powerful financial benefits for owners and operators.

Consider that a pet-prohibited portfolio of 1,000 apartment homes will have approximately $588,000 in additional turnaround costs and suffer a massive $10.7 million hit to its overall value. By allowing pets to reside in their communities, operators attract and retain residents, which in turn creates new revenue streams.

One way to earn additional revenue from pets could be to have a dog walking service or pet spa that pet-owning residents can use. Another way is by simply charging a small, monthly ‘pet rent’ fee based upon the pet’s track record on top of the traditional rent.

If operators sensibly relax breed and weight restrictions - and they have a way to thoroughly screen pets and pet owners before they move into their communities - they can offer a spectrum of monthly fees and pet rent. They could generate more revenue by charging fees that are not one-size-fits-all but, rather, tailored to the underlying risk presented by the individual pet and pet owner. For instance, a more rambunctious pet could have higher fees associated with it than a calmer, more tranquil pet. A puppy clearly presents more risk than a mature dog (who is potty trained), which could reasonably justify a little extra pet rent for the puppy risk until it’s more mature. Think of it as using a sliding scale to assess the appropriate fees for each pet individually, rather than across the board for all pets.

And while you certainly hope that pet owners behave well, there are fees that may be generated by way of a pet owner's missteps. A 2020 pet policies and amenities survey conducted by PetScreening in conjunction with J Turner Research found that 71% of residents, pet owners or not, support property managers charging more fees for irresponsible pet ownership.  

The fee-inducing offenses could include things such as repeatedly allowing dogs to roam off-leash, not picking up pet waste and allowing dogs to engage in excessive barking.

By completely banning pets from communities, owners are not only excluding themselves from a large subset of potential residents, but they’re also limiting their sources of revenue. Making properties pet-friendly will not only broaden the field of prospective residents interested in living in a community, but it will also provide additional financial benefits for the owner, adding to the bottom line.

I am offering a Buyer Rebate!! Is it Legal?

 

Yes, it is true.  I am now offering a buyer rebate.  In this market,  we Realtors need to be true Brokers. By that I mean, it is our job to help 'broker' the deal.   If this mean helping out buyers ( which will ultimately help sellers)!   The article below discusses the legal aspects of this offer.   Yes, it is legal.

However, in addition to the rules below, there are also a couple other requirements.   You know by now, sellers are not required to offer buyers any compensation.   As you read below, rebates must be paid our of commissions, so this offer is dependent on the overall compensation.     Also, based on this new rule regarding compensation, it is not possible to dis close an amount.    However, this will be honored and negotiated.  

As always,  contact me regarding you real estate needs with zero obligation!

May I offer to rebate part of my commission to a buyer?

QUESTION: I am thinking about offering a rebate of a portion of my commission to buyers who work with me. Is that okay and if so, may I advertise the offer?

ANSWER: The answer to both your questions is yes, provided you do it properly.

First of all, although the license law generally prohibits a broker from sharing his or her commission with an unlicensed person, he or she can share commissions with a party  to the transaction. Any such arrangement should be put in writing, and if the buyer is getting a loan, any such payment must be disclosed to the buyer’s lender prior to closing and must be reflected on the HUD-1 settlement statement (see Real Estate Commission’s Broker-in-Charge Guide, Chapter 5).

Regarding advertising, Standard of Practice 12-3 of the REALTOR Code of Ethics confirms that advertising a commission rebate to buyers is not unethical, subject to the  following proviso:

…However, REALTORS® must exercise care and candor in any such advertising or other public or private representations so that any party interested in receiving or  otherwise benefiting from the REALTOR®’s offer will have clear, thorough, advance understanding of all the terms and conditions of the offer.

Thus, for example, any advertising should make it clear that the rebate is subject to lender approval. Also, although it may seem obvious, it should be clear that the rebate will be made from commissions actually received.

If you haven’t already, you should discuss this idea with your broker-in-charge. Your firm may have a policy on the offering of rebates or other inducements, and your BIC is  responsible for the proper conduct of advertising by or in the name of the firm. Remember that you must disclose the name of your firm in any advertisement of real estate  services or listed property in any medium (see Standard of Practice 12-5 of the Code of Ethics).

Release Date: 09/02/2014

© Copyright 2014 - 2025. North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

This article is intended solely for the benefit of NC REALTORS® members, who may reproduce and distribute it to other NC REALTORS® members and their clients, provided it is reproduced in its entirety without any change to its format or content, including disclaimer and copyright notice, and provided that any such reproduction is not intended for monetary gain. Any unauthorized reproduction, use or distribution is prohibited.

Winston Salem - What is the EFFECTIVE DATE OF A CONTRACT

 

 Is an oral contract to sell real property legally enforceable? No. 

Any contract to sell real property is unenforceable against a party unless it is writing and signed by that party or on his or her behalf by some other lawfully-authorized person. When does a contract using the Offer to Purchase and Contract (Form 2-T) become legally binding on the buyer and seller? An offer made using Form 2-T becomes a binding contract on the “Effective Date.” The Effective Date is defined in paragraph 1(g) of Form 2-T. Two things must take place to form a binding contract according to paragraph 1(g): (i) all parties must have signed the offer (or initialed a counteroffer), and (ii) the party to whom the offer or counteroffer was made communicates that they have signed the offer (or initialed the counteroffer) to the party who made the offer (or counteroffer).

Scan the QR code to read the entire article!

Note:  Don't use QR codes?  Click here

As always, contact me for you real estate needs.  There is never any obligation!

Winston Salem | Forsyth County Statistics For July 2025

Ask Me How this may effect your next Real Estate Decison. As always, there is never any obligation!

 

Winston Salem | Did you know?

 

Fun Facts About Winston‑Salem

1. Twin City Origins

Winston‑Salem earned its nickname “Twin City” after the merger of two towns—Winston, established around industry, and Salem, a Moravian settlement—in 1913.(Wikipedia, My Winston-Salem)

2. Birthplace of Krispy Kreme

The first Krispy Kreme doughnut shop was opened here in 1937 by Vernon Rudolph. The very spot still draws visitors with fresh doughnut aroma.(Apartment Guide, Facts.net)

3. Texas Pete & Tobacco Legacy

• Texas Pete hot sauce got its start in Winston‑Salem in the 1920s, and production continues locally.(Apartment Guide)

• The nickname “Camel City” stems from its history as a tobacco powerhouse—especially with R.J. Reynolds’ Camel cigarettes.(Wikipedia, The Go-To Winston-Salem)

4. Old Salem: A Living Museum

• Old Salem, settled in 1766, is one of the most well-preserved Moravian settlements in the U.S., with circa 70% of its structures original.(Wikipedia)

• The Salem Tavern, built in 1784, is the area's first all-brick building and is now a National Historic Landmark.(Wikipedia)

• Each Easter, the Moravian Easter sunrise service is held at God’s Acre, one of the oldest continuous services in the country.(Wikipedia, The Go-To Winston-Salem)

5. Iconic Mickey Coffee Pot

Built in 1858 by the Mickey brothers, the 7-ft tall tin Coffee Pot landmark once sat curbside before being moved for safety. It holds about 740 gallons—that’s nearly 11,840 cups of coffee.(Wikipedia, Living WS)

6. Oldest Gingerbread Bakery

Old Salem’s Winkler Bakery, founded in 1807, still uses its original gingerbread recipe and traditional 19th‑century wood‑burning methods.(Food & Wine)

7. City of Arts & Innovation

Winston‑Salem created the very first arts council in the U.S. back in 1949, earning the modern title “City of Arts and Innovation.”(Wikipedia, The Go-To Winston-Salem)
Today, it’s home to vibrant cultural institutions like:

• SECCA (now North Carolina Museum of Art in Winston‑Salem)

• Reynolda House Museum of American Art

• The influential UNCSA and many galleries and performance spaces.(Wikipedia, Southern Living)

8. Reynolda Gardens

Opened between 1906–1923 on the estate of R.J. Reynolds, these botanical gardens were designed by Thomas W. Sears and span 125 acres, offering free daily admission.(Wikipedia)

9. Unexpected Art Dispensers

Keep your eyes peeled for Art‑O‑Mats—repurposed vintage cigarette machines that vend unique, pocket‑sized artworks around the city.(Movoto Real Estate)

10. Towering Architecture

• Winston Tower (formerly the Wachovia Building), completed in 1966, was once the tallest building in North Carolina and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.(Wikipedia)

• Winston‑Salem’s skyline feature and local joke somtimes: the Wells Fargo Center, originally Wachovia’s HQ, was designed to resemble a blooming rose.(Wikipedia)

---

Highlighted Attractions

• Old Salem Museums & Gardens—a walk through living history.

• Winkler Bakery—taste centuries-old gingerbread.

• Reynolda Gardens & Museum—art and natural beauty combined.

• Art‑O‑Mats—tiny art surprises around town.

• Historic landmarks like the Disney‑style Coffee Pot and storied towers.

Winston‑Salem truly blends youth, tradition, art, industry, and a few delightful surprises. Let me know if you'd like more quirky tales or suggestions for the best places to visit—happy to help you explore!