Wake Forest, North Carolina.  Yankee Pitcher Takes Strike Three.  I grew up living, breathing and playing baseball in the land of the Cubs and Cardinals.  Therefore, it was only natural that I hated - - the Yankess. 

A few years ago a friend and business associate introduced me to Tommy Byrne at Tommy’s home.  I vividly recall the goose bumps I got in seeing the signed bats, baseballs, photos and other memorabilia of his years as a pitcher in baseball but more particularly of his Yankee team mates and friends.  Tommy played with the Browns, Senators and White Sox as well but his Yankee years were his most memorable.  Meeting Tommy was not meeting a hated Yankee but meeting baseball in the flesh and all the memories that went with it.  Being able to ask him questions about other players and listen to his stories about some of them - - - it doesn’t get any better than that.

I saw him several times after that and also got to know one of his sons, Tommy, Jr.; another very fine man.  Tommy served as a town commissioner in Wake Forest for eight years and two terms as mayor.  He had many business interests including being a partner in the building of the Wake Forest Country Club golf course.  After baseball and his wife, golf was Tommy’s first love. 

How often it’s the small moments in life you remember the most.  Getting to know Tommy, if just a little, will one I will never forget.  He has now rejoined his team mates and I do hope they play baseball in heaven.  I wonder if God has a favorite team?

HASENTREE - continued from yesterday’s post.   These photos are of the wine room, the lower level kitchen and the exercise room.  I could go into detail about them but I think you would rather look than read.  To view each photo full size just click on it and click - Back to return to the next one.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com

Raleigh, North Carolina.  During the fall Parade of Homes there will be from 350 to 375 new homes on display.  The homes that get the most traffic, by far, are those that are the most expensive.  I guess it’s a matter of wanting to see how the “other half” lives.  Also, it doesn’t hurt to dream.  With this in mind, what do we know about luxury home buyers?  The 2007 Luxury Home Council Survey of Luxury Housing Market Trends sheds some interesting light on this question.

*  The average listing price for luxury homes in nearly $900,000.   *The largest percentage of luxury home buyers fall into the 40-50 age group (48%) followed by the 50-65 age group (44%).    * The most common occupation of luxury home buyers is that of an entrepreneur (51%), next is the large business exec. (46%) and in third place are medical doctors (24%).  * The typical luxury home buyer puts down an amount equal to just over one-third of the purchase price.  The median amount financed by all buyers in 2006 was 91% of the purchase price.  * Luxury home buyers search for home having at least 3500-4000 square feet, 4-5 bedrooms and 3-4 bathrooms.  * The average luxury home buyer spends 11 weeks looking for a home and views 12 homes.  * The most popular amenities include gourmet kitchens (95%), master bedroom suites (86%), specialty construction items (66%),  high end appliance package (64%), home office suites (58%), an home theatre rooms (55%).  * The number one service affluent home buyers want from their real estate agent/broker is help in finding a home (86%), help in managing the transaction (56%), and expert counsel during a negotiation (24%). 

If you are looking for help in finding or building a luxury home call me or send me an email to arrange an appointment.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: marvmax@mindspring.com   www.JohnFish.com