Aug. 17, 2006 - Cary NC Real Estate Blog

Welcome to my Triangle Area Real Estate Blog. This blog provides Cary NC real estate information and resources to guide homeowners and buyers through the process of selling and buying a house, townhome or even investment property. If you are interested in Triangle Real Estate, please e-mail me here for a personal response! Thanks and let's get blogging!

Jul. 10, 2008 - Heritage Pines in Cary, NC - A Top Notch Active 55+ Community

City: Cary

Location: Off of Apex Barbecue Road and HWY 55

Scotts Mill can be accessed by taking HWY 55 South from Cary towards Apex past Beaver Creek Commons Shopping Center.  Turn right into Cameron Park on Cameron Glen which will lead to Scotts Mill.  Or From US 1 to HWY 55 towards Apex, left on S. Salem, approx 1 mile to right on Apex Barbecue Road.  

Neighborhood Facts:

Price range is from the mid $200s - high $300s

Single Family Homes and Duplex Homes

Located in a central location in Cary

The homes in Heritage Pines are ranch homes built by K.Hovanian beginning in 2000 and completion of all of the homes will conclude by the end of 2007.  This community has approximately 225 homes, all built with Active 55+ Seniors in mind. 

Community Amenities

The Heritage Pines club house offers a Junior Olympic sized pool and a fun filled community activities calander.  A sampling of some of the activities include a ladies luncheon, "Polish Night", and a community brunch.  Heritage Pines residents also rave about the arts and crafts classes at the clubhouse.  In addition to the pool Heritage Pines has two hard court tennis courts.  

Neighborhood shopping

Stone Creek Shopping Center is located just a mile around the corner from Heritage Pines.  This gorgeous new shopping center has restaurants, boutiques, and even a Harris Teeter.  

Beaver Creek Shopping Center is located approximately four miles from Scotts Mill.  Apex's newest shopping center has over 750,000 square feet of retail space including several notable anchor tenants - Dicks, Circuit City, Target, Lowes, Borders, and Kohls.  There is also plenty of restaurant's and even a movie theatre.  

To view listings in Heritage Pines click here.

For more information you can go directly to the Heritage Pines website or for information on additional Active 55+ communities in the Triangle you can read my Top 10 List.  

Jul. 10, 2008 - Carolina Preserve by Del Webb Active Adult Living Community in Cary, North Carolina

Carolina Preserve by Del Webb at Amberly, a new Active Adult Community is located in presitigous Cary, North Carolina.  Why live in Cary, NC?

• Cary has earned numerous awards for its high quality of life and has been rated the #1 place to live on the East Coast by Money Magazine
• It's ranked as the safest city in the South and the 6th safest out of 327 large cities in the nation
• Location, Location, Location that's why!!  It is located in th heart of the Triangle, adjacent to Research Triangle Park, and only minutes away from RDU International Airport, the state's capitial, and the  burgeoning theatre and arts community in Chapel Hill. 

Carolina Preserve is located a short distance from some of the best healthcare in the nation including:

• Duke University Hospital in Durham ("The City of Medicine")
• UNC in Chapel Hill
• Wake Med in Cary, Raleigh, and coming soon to Apex. 
• The University of North Carolina Wellness system has also agreed to partner with Carolina Preserve to provide their residents with fitness and wellness programs!  

Carolina Preserve's grand opening celebration occurred July 15, 2006. At the opening, Del Webb unveiled nine model homes.  The total number of lots will be rolled out in five phases with a total of 1,260 homesites.

Amenities & A Sense of Strong Community dominate Carolina Preserve

The  hub of this active adult community will be its clubhouse and  residents will have access to numerous activities. Planned for this premier community are an indoor year round pool, state of the art fitness center, billiard room, multi-purpose room and lounge area. There will be a second outdoor pool, tennis courts, bocce ball courts and picnic pavilion. Carolina Preserve is one of 7 neighborhoods in Amberly. Residents of Carolina Preserve will also have access to Amberly's clubhouse, pools and  walking trails! 

Arts, Culture, Sports & More are located near Carolina Preserve

The greater Raleigh area offers an abundance of educational, cultural and recreational opportunities. Enjoy a performance at the BTI Center for the Performing Arts featuring theater, ballet, the symphony and opera. Delight in outdoor performances at the Alltel Pavilion in Raleigh or the Amphitheatre at Regency Park in Cary.   Raleigh provides numerous sports teams: The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL Hockey), Carolina Mud Cats and Durham Bulls (AA Baseball); and the great college sports including ACC NC State, UNC & Duke!  Our area also features several major universities and community colleges to choose from including Duke University, UNC/Chapel Hill & NC State University that can offer you accredited courses for continuing your education or just for fun!! 

What about golf? Is there are golf course too?

Located near the Carolina Preserve are several world-renowned championship golf courses that offer daily golf and Private memberships:

• Prestonwood CC
• Briar Creek CC
• Lochmere 
• MacGregor Downs 
• Pinehurst, only a short 50 minute drive away offers over 100 public golf courses

Community Details:

Age Restriction: 55+

Type of Home: Single Family, Villa/Town homes

Home Sizes: There are Four Collection of Homes:

• Cardinal Collection:  1103-1414 square feet

• Dogwood Collection:  1590-1919 square feet

• Emerald Collection:  2050-2597 square feet

• Villas:  Duplex units

Price Range: Base Pricing $210,000-$401,000

As your trusted real estate professional, I am committed to offering you specialized services that focus on your needs. I understand that the sale or purchase of a home is one of the biggest events in your life and potentially one of the most stressful events in your life. My goal is to use my skill and expertise to guide you step by step through the process making the transaction easier and more pleasant. I strive to provide patient, caring, professional support and excellent service that exceeds your expectations.

Update:  The next delivery for homes in Amberly is scheduled for August 2008 except for a few homes in the Emerald Collection!!  This neighborhood has sold quickly, so be patient if you want to buy in this area.

 Click on the map to the left for driving directions or call me for additional information on the community. 

Jul. 10, 2008 - Cary's Hottest New Community is Amberly

The number one selling new home community in Wake County in 2006!! This planned community, when completed, will offer natural areas, retail space, shopping areas, 276 acres of common areas, miles of greenway trail and many exclusive amenities!

Amenities include a gymnasium, village green, event lawn, children's playground, Jr. Olympic pool, family fun pool, and residents club. Within the residents club you'll find a fitness center, aerobics room, children's play room, teen room, decks and patios and flexible meeting areas. With an abundance of amenities and an incredible location, Amberly is a must see community!

The two primary builders at Amberly are KB Home & Pulte Homes. At present, the prices range from the low $200's & $300's for KB's town home and single family home products, to the $500's for Pulte's Blackstone at Amberly Neighborhood.

The Peninsula - custom homes from the $400s to $800s, custom lot sales will begin in February from the $120s (very limited supply). Builders are 1st American Builders and Royal Oaks Building Group. Estate Home builders and prices to be announced soon.

Village Square - single family and townhomes from the $300s to $600s, built by the Bedford Builder Group (great variety of homes, including 3-story brownstone townhomes with elevators).

Blackstone - Pulte Homes from the $330s

Arlington Park & Lexington Park - KB Homes from the $200s

Washington Square - KB townhomes from the $180s

Carolina Preserve by Del Webb - active adult homes from the $200s

Amberly can now be accessed through Carpenter Fire Station or the newly opened McCrimmon Parkway.

One question that comes up often-Where will my children go to school with all of the growth? Not to worry. Panther Creek High School opened last year on McCrimmon Parkway. This high school will be grades 9-12 through the 2008-2009 School Year

Jul. 6, 2008 - Bedford at Falls River – It's a wonderful life!!

I would say that this is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Raleigh. As a result, this planned community has received numerous awards and accolades from the National Association of Home Builders and others and is one of the reason this neighborhood has sold so well. There really is something for everyone in this neighborhood where prices start in the low 200s and peak at over $1M.

City: Raleigh, North Carolina

Directions:

From the Airport: Take US-70/Aviation Parkway West to I-540 East toward US-70. Exit Falls of Neuse Road(Exit 14). Take a left onto Falls of Neuse Road. Turn right into Bedford onto Dunn Road. Enter roundabout and take 3^rd exit onto Falls River Avenue.

Community Details: Fact Sheet

Bedford at Falls River Awards & Honors

• March 30, 2004 - Bedford Wins North Carolina Community Of The Year
• February 15, 2005 - Bedford At Falls River Glimmers with Gold; Attains Multiple National Awards
• August 29, 2005 - Where to Retire Magazine Ranks Raleigh's Bedford at Falls River Among 100 Best
• October 21, 2005 - Homebuilders at Bedford at Falls River Receive Ten Awards from Raleigh's Parade of Homes
• September 28, 2006 - Bedford Awarded with Master Planned Community of the Year

Bedford at Falls River Amenities

Recreation Center - Over 3,500 Square Feet with two sitting areas, a TV, VCR, and wireless Wi-Fi internet access throughout the building.

Pools at the Recreation Center - There's plenty of swimming in Bedford. The Recreation Center has two pools-a competition sized pool and a standard size pool. The kids favorite is Mt. Gushmore, the 110-foot long, 15-foot high mountainous waterslide!

Parks and Greenways - There are over 205 acres of parks, greenways and open spaces at Bedford, along with 26 miles of tree-lined sidewalks including Jellystone Park, Pottersville Park, Central Park and the Secret Garden.

Clock Tower - This is the center of Beford and the Town Square marked by the bold and beautiful brick Clock Tower.

The Shoppes at Bedford Square - Plan for a small commercial section in Bedford and sometime Farmers Market at the Square.

One of the neat aspects about Bedford at Falls River is its walk-ability aspect. Walkscore.com has done a study of the different aspects of a neighborhood to see how close amenities are to the neighborhood. Bedford scored well in terms of a central location near the library, grocery stores, coffee shops, gas stations, etc.

Here is a list of Builders and the communities they represent:

• 1^st American Builders - Greenbrier Collection, Sonoma Collection, The Townes at Bedford Square
• Bedford Builder Group - Bailey Park Collection, Wainwright Collection
• Chase Properties - Charleston Collection. Local builders include Amward Homes, Inc, Impact Design-Build, Inc, Upright Builders, Inc, and Wardson Construction Co
• Chesapeake Homes - Greenbrier Collection
• Drees Homes - Society Hill Collection
• Estate Builder Group - Custom Builders including Barrington Homes, CityScape Builders, Homescape Building Co., Houseman Custom Homes, Rice Builders, Timberline Builders, Tingen Construction Co., and
  Woodard Builders
• John Wieland Homes - Riverpoint Collection

Check out Bedford's Interactive Neighborhood Website for more information or view my video tour below:

If you'd like more information on this community or information on relocating to the Triangle in general please visit my website or contact me via email by completing the contact form.

Jul. 6, 2008 - Colvard Farms in Southwest Durham - Neighborhood Profile

City: Durham, North Carolina

Directions:

I-40 to Hwy 751S (exit 274) towards Jordan lake. Entrance to Colvard Farms is 1.7 miles on right

Neighborhood Facts:

• Distinctive estate homes priced from the $700,000s to over $2,000,000
• School System: Chatham County Schools
• HOA Fees: $2,048 per year including recreation center

Builder Team:

Helton Homes Inc. - With a home building history and reputation for 30 years, Helton Homes, Inc. is one of the most respected companies in the Triangle area. President Rick Helton now runs the award-winning company begun by his father in 1972, and prides himself in maintaining the level of excellence they have achieved in producing quality homes.

Loyd Builders LLC - Trip Lloyd was born and raised in North Carolina and specializes in custom homes in the Triangle.

M.J. Evans Homes LLC - Michael J. Evans has 18 years of experience in quality and commitment to excellence in the home building business. He is a member of the Orange County Homebuilders Association and the Wake County Homebuilders Association. He has received various forms of recognition throughout his professional life.

Aiello Builders Inc. - Custom builder, Bob Aiello, has homes in and around the Triangle including Hope Valley and Regency Park

Rufty Homes Inc. - My favorite custom builder in the Triangle. Jon Rufty's accolades include 4-time MAME award for "Builder of the Year", Parade of Homes Awards, National HBA award for "Excellence in Home Design", NC Custom Home of the Year and recognition in National Publications.

Upright Builders Inc. - Wes Carroll, a prominent local custom builder, is an active member of the Wake County Home Builders Association, Wes has been in two "Dream Home Showcase" events, and Habitat for Humanity's "Build a Home in One Week" campaign.

Colvard Farms Amenities

• 300 beautiful acres of open space, trails, and greenways
• Located 2 miles south of I-40 and The Streets at South Pointe Mall on NC Highway 751
• Recreation center with swimming, tennis, fitness center and playground
• Enjoy picnic areas, bird watching, fishing, hiking and neighborhood parks.
  Boating and skiing on adjacent Jordan Lake

Watch the Neighborhood Video to see why this community is so wonderful:

View current listings in Colvard Farms here

Jul. 6, 2008 - Don't miss Holly Hill Daylily Farm in Moncure, NC

In January I wrote about moving across town in, "Tracy Santrock's Moved On & Checking In w/Activerain".  Our new neighborhood and neighbors are warm and inviting. They've really made the transition an easy one. I was asked today by another agent in my office, "Are you happy about your move to Glenkirk? What do you like about Glenkirk?" and I replied, "There isn't one thing I regret - the location, quality of home, neighborhood amenities, and the neighbors are all a big plus.

So, it can't be perfect. What would be the ONE thing you would change? Well everyone, I spent many years growing an established garden at my previous home and I miss it. The landscape had matured - Leyland Cyprus, Butterfly bushes, Crepe Myrtles, Clematis vines, Tomato garden, Herb garden, and lily plantings really made the home sparkle. I vow to make this home just as warm and inviting as the last but it will take a while.

If you're just moving to the Triangle there is a well hidden secret about buying the most unique lilies in the Triangle. Holly Hill Day Lily Farm has been growing lilies in the Triangle for 28 seasons and they are the best lily grower in North Carolina.

If you have an afternoon free and are in for an adventure head out to Holly Hill Day Lily Farm. They are only open to the public for seven weekends per year starting June 7^th and commencing July 20^th. I'll never forget my first trip to the farm. I met the owner, Jim Massey, and he is quite a trip. He has stories about all of the lilies he grows. The farm has over 1,000 varieties available for purchase during the lily season. I happened to purchase a unique yellow variety called, "Davies Moon Pie". I think that has to do with one of Jim's friends but I'd rather not ask. I forgot to mention that the farm is almost as well known for its eclectic garden folk art as it is for its daylilies!

I know I'll be out there on June 7th collecting new varieties for my new home. I hope to see you all there. Moncure is located just outside of Pittsboro and about 15-20 minutes West of Apex, NC.

Jul. 5, 2008 - Tracy's Top 5 Triangle To Do's

What a difficult task - Pick just 5 things to do in the Triangle area

I wouldn't have said that when I moved to the Triangle in 1991 but the Triangle has come a long way in such a short time and our area has so much to offer. The Triangle area is now consistently receiving national attention as one of the Best Places to Live for its revitalization of the downtown Raleigh & Durham areas, consistent job growth, highly educated workforce, major universities, cultural activities, great nightlife, and much more.

If you are planning to move to the Triangle area of North Carolina or your kids are considering attending one of the many universities in the area, I'm here to help you with a few things to do in the area. With that said, it's time to visit the Triangle Area.

Tracy Santrock's Top 5 Things to do in the Triangle

1. Visit one of the three Major Universities in the Area - A visit to the Triangle would not be complete without a visit to one of the three major universities in the area. North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Duke University in Durham, or the University of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill. UNC-Chapel Hill is nestled in the quaint college town of Chapel Hill and the college is one of the top public universities in the country. A stroll down Franklin Street, a walk through campus, and a slice of pizza at Peppers Pizza downtown would make any tourists day complete. Duke Universities' gothic style campus is reminiscent of the Ivy League schools in the Northeast. While visiting Duke don't miss out on Duke Gardens, the Duke Chapel, or attendance at one of the many Blue Devil athletic events during the school year. NC State, home of the Wolfpack, is a public university known for it's outstanding Engineering programs. The campus is conveniently located in the heart of Raleigh close to downtown. With those visits out of the way I feel smarter already! There is no shortage of brain power in this area!

2. Take a tour of one of the many Triangle Museums - There are three you don't want to miss in the area in particular. Each of the choices will not disappoint. If you're in Durham visit the Museum of Life & Science which is a family friendly museum, bosts a 3-story tropical conservatory and a daily butterfly release for the children. If your on a budget the North Carolina Museum of Art is home to over 5,000 pieces of Art and us free to the public. Ackland Art Museum, at the base of the Univeristy of North Carolina, is considered to be one of the best small museums on any campus. If the kids are in tow go to downtown Raleigh to Marbles Kids Museum.

3. Spend some time outdoors -With four distinct seasons, over 222 Days of Sunshine, and an average temperature of 58 Degrees it's hard not to enjoy some time outdoors on your visit. Whether your plans are for a short jaunt or a long hike in one of the many state parks in the area no visit would be complete without some time outdoors. Here are a few of my favorites in the area-Pick one. Duke forest, Umstead Park, Eno River State Park, or the American Tobacco Trail. Umstead Park would be my top pick with over 30 miles of jogging and biking trails and a fanstastic central location make this park a step above the rest.

4. Play a round of golf - With over 100+ area golf courses to choose from it's tough not to have a great golf experience. If you're up for the best of the best head 50 minutes away to Pinehurst and challenge yourself on the famous Pinehurst #2 Golf Course. My local favorite is the Washington Duke Golf Course because I really enjoy dining at the Fairview Restaurant afterwards.

5. Don't forget the nightlife. What's a visit to any town without a night out on the town? Each of the Triangle Towns now has a great downtown nightlife. If your young and want the college atmosphere I recommend the nightlife in Chapel Hill. Downtown Durham, in the old Tobacco district, has a number of great choices. The NEW Downtown Raleigh has several restauraunts, bars, and fabulous venues. My favorite night on the town has to go to Chapel Hill with fabulous restaurants, charm, character, and excitement.

I hope you can see why I love to call the Triangle home! It's an active and thriving area with lots of choices. We hope you make it hear soon.

If you are thinking of relocating to the Raleigh-Cary NC area I'd love to help you find the perfect home. Visit my website at www.TriangleNCHomes4Sale.com for additional details and a free Relocation packet.

Duke Chapel Photo & Umstead Park photo courtesy of Flickr.

Jul. 5, 2008 - Like Him, Love Him, or Not, A North Carolina Legend Passes Away on Independance Day

Big news in Raleigh Today! The converatives in North Carolina are mourning the passing of the legendary Jesse Helms, otherwise known as Senator NO. It's quite ironic that the long-time US Senator passed away on Independence Day. Jesse Helms was a staunch conservative and was one of the longest serving Senators in the history of the United States. Helms served five terms before retiring in 2002 due to poor health. I'm surprised the Mr. Helms made it this long - with his fight against heart disease, cancer, and other ailments.

There will be a Memorial service today at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh from 10am until 8pm this evening.

Did you agree with Mr. Helms and his views? What will this mean for the State of North Carolina and the conservative agenda?

Jul. 2, 2008 - Priced to sell or priced to sit - That is the question

Jul. 1, 2008 - Glenkirk in Cary, NC - Executive homes in a fabulous location!

City:  Cary

Location:  Off of Cary Parkway & Old Weatherstone

I know this neighborhood all to well.  I mentioned earlier this year that  I moved to this beautiful neighborhood in my post Tracy Santrock's Moved On & Checking In w/Activerain.  My family has loved every minute of our transition to the new neighborhood (ok, except unpacking the boxes). 

I was a little concerned about being one of the last families to move to the neighborhood.  To the contrary I've met so many of the neighbors and their children and everyone has been just spectacular.  It's so nice to be a part of a community that has that warm, inviting appeal where everyone knows everyone's name.  Since I've finally finished unpacking all of the boxes I thought it is time for me to write about the neighborhood.  

Neighborhood Facts:

• Price range is from  the low $600s to over $1 Million
• Fantastic location in the heart of Cary just 1 mile from Prestonwood Country Club 
• Master Planned Community
• Two sections:  Newest homes are in the back section; Other homes built in 2006
• Approximately 100+ Executive Homes
• Several basement homesites
• Jogging trail, sidewalks, and bike trail
• One mile from Bond Park and the Cary Community Center
• Traditional Schools
• Minutes from the grocery stores, Preston Walk, Inside Out Sports, restaurants, and convenience stores

Builder

John Wieland Homes is an established and renowned builder in the Southeast that has received several awards including: 

• National Builder of the Year by Professional Builder Magazine

• National Housing Quality Award presented by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center

Key Neighborhood Highlights:

Glenkirk Club House & Swimming Pool

I'm lucky to live across from the Glenkirk Club House where there is plenty to do.  We have a group of girls that gets together for Pokino.   Other amenities include a pool with a childrens' play area, children's playground, picnic area, and a Basketball court too!

 Preston Walk Shopping Center

Just around the corner from the neighborhood and a 10 minute walk is Preston Walk Shopping Center - Some of my favorite restaurants in town including Panera Bread, Stonewood, Biaggis, and Henrys Gelato.  La Therapie Day Spa and Inside Out Sports and more....

Preston Corners Shopping Center

Just about all of the banks have a branch at Preston Corners.  Other notable highlights include Fedora, Suncom, Preston Flowers, Lowes Grocery, a Mexican restaurant, coffee shop, and others.  Across the street is La Farm Bakery, one of my personal favorites.

For more information go to the Glenkirk website or contact me directly for this neighborhood.  

Please consider my Lisiting at 2009 Killearn Mill as your next home!

Directions:  Located just off of Cary Parkway North of Cary Parkway and High House Rd.  Turn Right on Olde Weatherstone Way.    

Here is some additional information on the Cary NC Real Estate and Cary Real Estate Market Conditions you may want to check out:

Jul. 1, 2008 - Why choose Fonville Morisey for your next Realtor® in the Triangle Area?

If you are moving to the Triangle from another area of the country you may not have heard of the company I work for Fonville Morisey.  Most of the time prospective clients have heard of Remax, Keller Williams, and Prudential, but not Fonville Morisey.  My clients come from all over the US and ask me, "Why did you choose to work for Fonville Morisey?"  I say, "I wouldn't even think of working for any other real estate company in the Triangle and I think you'll see why once we view a view properties".  Here is the way I see it-there is power to inventory and Fonville Morisey agents have more listings & are more productive than any of the other companies in the area.  In essence, strong inventory naturally creates a If you haven't made it to the Triangle yet, and you're still debating on an agent or a company to work with, I'd like to tell you why my company is the real estate agency of choice in the Triangle! strong pool of buyers.  Fonville Morisey's  market share and real estate philosophy are why I decided to work for Fonville Morisey.     

 For starters, where in the world did the name Fonville Morisey come from?  Back in the early ‘70s a couple of fraternity brothers saw the Triangle growing at a fast paced and decided to start a new firm in the area. The gentlemen that founded the company were Tommy Fonville, Johnny Morisey, and Frank Roebuck. Their vision was to create a "boutique" real estate organization that would specialize in the Triangle area and provide differentiated services unlike those of their competitors across the country. The vision, the integrity, and the reputation created by the founders led the company from a small privately held organization to the #41 ranked real estate firm in the country in 2006.  And, in 2007, Long and Foster purchased Fonville Morisey as a wholey owned subsidiary making our firm party to the #3 largest real estate company in the US.  As those from the Northeast know, Long & Foster is also privately held which was an important decision making factor for the companies' founders when selling the firm. 

More than just market share, Fonville Morisey has been the recipient of several awards that have been voted on by buyers and sellers in the community.  For example,  2006, 2008 Independent Awards for Best Real Estate Company in the Triangle.  And, Metro Magazine's 2006 Award for Best Real Estate Company in the Triangle.   

Clients choose agents for different reasons, usually based on interests, personal preferences,agent specialization,  and the need to work with an experienced/established agent.  The following links give you a glimpse about me and why clients have chosen Fonville Morisey & me as their agent: 

My website

About Tracy Santrock

Testimonials for Tracy Santrock

Fonville Morisey Buyer Agency - The Advantages of Using a Buyers Agent

Cary NC Real Estate>>1st Time Homebuyer's Online Toolkit

Listings & My Commitment to Internet Marketing - Updated

Why choose Cary NC for your next home? Letter to my prospective clients...

Jul. 1, 2008 - Tracy's Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in Durham

I was showing homes in Durham last weekend and it brought me back to the days when I lived in Chapel Hill in the early ‘90s and spent quite a bit of time in Durham.  One of the things I've always liked about Durham is that they have a fantastic restaurant scene and I frequently visit the area with my husband Mauro.  I've written a few articles about restaurants in the area but none that focused exclusively on Durham.  That said, I thought I'd bring up a few treasures that can be found in Durham. 

Nana's Restaurant - 2514 University Drive 919.493.8545 My husband and I ate here a few years ago on his Birthday.  It's the kind of restaurant that you go to on special occasions or for a business dinner.  It's a beautiful restaurant enriched by local art and the cooking creations of award winning chef Scott Howell.  Food & Wine referred to the menu as "a blend of Italy and the American South, with a few French accents." Nana's is considered one of the Triangles top dining destinations. When available, suggestions include the lamb with its delicate and subtle sauce and my personal favorite the seafood risotto. Throe is also a cozy little bar to sip on cocktails while you wait for your table.

The Fairview at Washington Duke  3001 Cameron Blvd.  919. 490.0999 This is my favorite destination for Christmas Brunch with my family.  It's a wonderfully intimate and sophisticated setting overlooking the Washington Inn & Duke Golf Course. The Executive Chef, Jason Cunningham serves delightful dishes such as the braised beef short rib with exotic mushrooms, roasted celery and plum-infused veal reduction. To top off the dining experience, there are over 250 varieties in the wine collection and they regularly receive the distinguished Wine Spectator Magazine Award for Excellence.  

Magnolia Grill - 1002 9th St. 919.286.3609 Bold, imaginative cuisine from nationally acclaimed chefs Ben and Karen Barker.  I find this restaurant to be a bit bright, stuffy, and expensive.  It's consistently considered by many to be the finest restaurant in the Triangle and voted to "11th place" in best restaurants in the US by Gourmet Magazine in 2006. The menu is innovated and seasonally directed.

Four Square Restaurant 2701 Chapel Hill Rd 919.401.9877 Bon Appétit calls Four Square "exciting" and remarks, "The plates going back to the kitchen were licked clean." Owned and operated by executive chef Shane Ingram and his wife, former pastry chef Elizabeth Woodhouse 

Watts Grocery 1116 Broad Street, near Club Boulevard 919.416.5040  Watts Grocery is actually an acclaimed neighborhood restaurant in Durham, NC.  The name is derived from the Watts-Hillandale neighborhood where Chef Amy Tornquist grew up and Watts Street Grocery, a favorite childhood stop for candy and snacks. But what's most distinctive is Amy's use of local ingredients, many raised, caught, smoked, pickled or cured within a two-hour radius of Durham, and how she weaves them into her cooking.  It's no wonder that Amy studied cooking at the internationally renowned La Varenne École de Cuisine in Paris. She honed her skills at the elbow of the late Bill Neal, founder of Crook's Corner and an icon of contemporary Southern cuisine.  What a fantastic destination for cuisine at its finest.  

Guglhupf Café - 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd 919.401.2600 I had lunch with my clients at this charming café.  Gugulhupf is a European bakery in Durham, named for an Austrian Bundt cake studded with rum-soaked golden raisins. Its German-trained artisan bakers have been turning out everything from ciabatta to Black Forest rye to Linzer cookies to the bakery's namesake cake since 1998.   I had the Westphalian ham on Black Forest rye!! Yummy!  Enjoy the striking architecture of the café and courtyard for outdoor dining.  

Café Parizade 2200 W Main St, Erwin Square 919.286.9712 Southern Living has consistently touted this restaurant.  The atmosphere has an expansive open copper covered kitchen, whimsical art and a well stocked bar. There is a good selection of appetizers to go along with your drinks and a dinner menu with specialties like fettuccini with fresh salmon and black pepper dill cream. Fresh homemade desserts and famous Leonia's Belgian chocolates tempt you in the background. 

Rue Cler Restaurant  401 E Chapel Hill St, Downtown  919.682.8844 opened in October of 2006 to great reviews.  Rue Cler's classic bistro cuisine combines the freshest ingredients and delicious French wines at a reasonable price during lunch, dinner and brunch. Food and Wine praises the hot, powdered sugar covered beignets they sell by the dozen. 

Pop's  810 W Peabody St, Brightleaf District, Downtown 919.956.7677
is a fabulous Italian restaurant in Durham. The atmosphere is charming with its wood burning ovens, thin crust pizza, calamari, and taste of Italy reinterpreted with a southern flair and devotion to fresh seasonal local ingredients. The casually sophisticated atmosphere appeals to both long time residents and young professionals. It is a sister restaurant to Nana's but comes with its own set of accolades. 

Foster's Market 2693 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. 919.489.3944 A casual atmosphere and great place to kick back and relax.  where you choose from gourmet sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups and daily specials. Whatever you do, don't leave without a piece of the crumb cake or one of the other tasty desserts.

Here are a few related articles that I've written on the Triangle restaurant scene:

Raleigh NC Restaurant Scene Recognized by Bon Appetit 

My favorite Triangle Restaurants - Bon Appétit 

Try A Southern Season if you enjoy the finer things in life 

NC BBQ-A world apart from Texas BBQ

Jul. 1, 2008 - Pittsboro NC Real Estate - Chatham County Continues to Boom

If you haven't been keeping up with what is going on in Pittsboro it's time you did. There are currently only 3,000 residents in the town of Pittsboro today but not for long.  There continues to be a lot of noise that Pittsboro will be the next likely hot spot in the Triangle.  Pittsboro has sparked a lot of interest due to its recent population boom, its proximity to other Triangle towns and the amount of available land in the area.   

Last fall I wrote a blog about the projected growth in Pittsboro and in March I wrote about the community of Pittsboro.  This small town isn't used to big developers coming in and trying to scoop up big chunks of land for residential and commercial projects.  Recently developers have proposed over a half a dozen projects that are causing controversy.  

Proposed and current development include:

1. Powell Place - A residential development with about 300 homes planned.
2. Outparcels near Lowe's - Three small sites in front of Lowe's Home Improvement store may become home to a KFC/Taco Bell and a pharmacy.
3. Pittsboro Commons- A 425,000-square-foot shopping center that will likely house a grocery store plus other shops and restaurants.  The developer is awaiting a ruling on its rezoning. 
4. Bellemont Point & Bellemont Station - Adjacent residential and commercial developments and about 100,000 square feet of commercial space, mostly offices.  So far, only the commercial space is under construction. 
5. Sixty-Four Crossing - Chatham Park Investors has filed for rezoning of 71 acres spanning both sides of Eubanks Road and has proposed a development with 310,000 square feet of retail shops, 130,000 square feet of offices and a 140-room hotel.  The planning board has recommended approval, and a public hearing is scheduled for August 27^th.

Other proposed developments include:

1. A 440,000-square-foot shopping center with a 140 room hotel on the east side of town
2. A grocery-anchored shopping center
3. Pittsboro Place- A rezoning project that would include a 120 Acre parcel and 1.3 million-square-foot office and shopping complex w/320 new homes.  They have even proposed a movie theatre and a bowling alley. This development is being funded by a group of Triangle investors headed by Raleigh resident Bill Jackson, who has been working in commercial development for almost four decades.   This mall would make Southpoint in Durham look like small potatoes if you can imagine that!!

Not all residents living in Pittsboro are exicted about the changes.  Several have even turned up at Town Hall to express their displeasure with the proposal.  Most families living in Pittsboro moved there because they wanted to live in the small town...

Stay tuned for the next chapter regarding the Chatham County Real Estate developments..

May. 19, 2008 - Why Cary NC? Letter to my prospective buyers

When clients are considering moving to Cary, NC there is so much I want to tell them about our wonderful town.  I moved to North Carolina in 1991 and have been able to see the area grow and mature into a wonderful community.  Several other agents within the Activerain network have written letters to their prospective relocation clients.  I thought I'd join in the fun.  This will help you get a better feel for the area in general. 

Hello Mr. & Mrs. Potential Client,

Thank you so much for contacting me and most importantly Welcome to the Triangle Region of North Carolina.

I think once you see what we have to offer, you'll fall in love with North Carolina and Cary in particular. I hope that I can help you take a closer look at our community and you will be able to see all of the merits of our wonderful community. 

I've included in this e-mail some links to articles that I have written about Cary NC and the surrounding areas as well as an all around description of the area.

As we discussed on the phone today I have gone ahead and set you up to receive automatic listings for the area so that when anything new enters the market that meets your criteria you will be notified automatically.  In addition to the homes available for sale it gives prospective buyers an idea of "What you get for your money in Cary, NC" along with a feel for the different styles and architectures of the homes in the area. 

You may also search all of the listings in the Triangle area by visiting my website and clicking on Search for Triangle Area Homes that will allow you to search all currently listed homes in Raleigh, Cary and the surrounding communities.

There is a lot of buzz around the United States about the growth of the Triangle area.  Our community continues to be praised on the quality of life, education, job growth, and affordability.  Click here to browse through the different accolades that have been bestowed on the Triangle.  Even National Geographic recognized the potential in an article they wrote back in 2001.     

In your inquiry you mentioned you were very concerned about the schools and wanted to make sure your children received the best education possible.  The Wake County Public School System is now the largest public school district in North Carolina and had 134,002 students enrolled as of the 2007/08 school year.  It ranks 19th largest nationwide. New schools are being built to handle the increase in student population and many of the schools have been converted to year-round programs.  In addition to the growth the school system has received numerous awards including #1 School District in the Nation for Certified Teachers and a Gold Rating from Expansion Management's Education Quotient. 

So, what should I tell you about my hometown of Cary, North Carolina?  When I first moved to Cary from Chapel Hill in 1994 the town had just started to take off in growth.  We really didn't even have grocery stores at the time.  Just a bunch of single family homes on cul-de-sac lots. 

Today Cary has grown to over 127,640 and is now the 8^th fastest growing city in the United States according to CNN.  One of the major reasons for Cary's popularity is the town's proximity to the Research Triangle Park and the proximity to the many biotech, pharmaceutical and high tech companies, making it an ideal location for people moving to the Research Triangle area for work.  As such, Cary has been known to be called "Technology Town of North Carolina".

Yet even with all of the growth Cary has maintained character and charm.  The town management in Cary developed PUDs (Planned Urban Developments) starting in the early ‘70s to create aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods.  By planning for the future developers were able to strictly monitor zoning and also map out churches, schools, and other community amenities. 

We also discussed your children's love for the outdoors and possible involvement in community activities.  One of Cary's strength is that the town's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department provides a massive offering of events and courses for kids and adults, everything from clown camp to ceramics to African drumming to first aid. In fact, the Robert V. Godbold Park is home to the 12,000-square-foot Sk8-Cary skate and BMX bike park. 

If the kids like the outdoors there is plenty of room for them to play.  Cary currently has 20 public parks, a greenway system of six park trails and ten greenway trails, three special use facilities and eight staffed facilities that provide a variety of programs and services for all ages. 

During the summertime most of the neighborhood communities have community swimming pools and swim teams for the kids to join in the neighborhood.   Since the weather is pretty mild in this area the pools are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  And, the long awaited Cary NC Real Estate - Triangle Aquatic Center(TAC) opens today in Cary, NC opened in October of 2007 and is a public facility opened year-round to the public. 

Cary's sports facilities are unique to those of most of the surrounding towns.  The tax dollars have really been put to great use and most of the facilities that have been built are quite new.  

WakeMed Soccer Park This 150-Acre soccer complex hosts professional, college, and high school tournaments.  

Cary Tennis Park Is a public tennis facility with 30 Championship courts and one stadium court and was voted the Top New Public Tennis Facility in the Nation in 2006.  

USA Baseball National Training Complex opened recently and is home to the UNC Baseball Team during the 2008/09 baseball season.   

Triangle Aquatics Center The new facility has 3 swimming pools - a 50-meter Competition Pool, a 25-yard Training Pool as well as a warm water Instructional Pool

Hockey - Raleigh is home to the Stanley Cup winning Carolina Hurricanes.  There are many private facilities in the area. 

Area Golf Courses - The Piedmont Region of North Carolina is well known for its abundance of lush green golf courses.  The Triangle Area alone has over 100 public courses.  Or, if your adventuresome, you may want to take the short one hour drive to Pinehurst to play some of the World's Greatest Golf Courses.   

What about cultural arts? Does Cary have an artistic community? Cary has The Cultural Arts Division encompasses the Jordan Hall Arts Center , the Page-Walker Arts & History Center Newly opened Halle Cultural Arts center in Apex, NC.  In addition, the Town of Cary has commissioned artwork that has been placed throughout the town which is aesthetically pleasing.  

There are many popular community wide events throughout the year for families to enjoy.  Some of the most popular include Lazy Daze in downtown Cary in the Fall and Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival at Bond Park in the Spring.  During the summer months there are weekly concerts with the NC Symphony at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre to a free July 4th fireworks celebration.   

The Cary NC Real Estate market has been incredibly stable relative to the rest of the US.  While markets were declining throughout the US last year Cary experienced its highest appreciation rate on record.  This year has slowed somewhat due to families having a difficult time selling where they are moving from.  However, the Cary real estate market has a higher rate of appreciation relative to the Triangle and lower inventory making it a desirable community for resale in the future.   

Cary's  ideal location in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina is just 15 to 30 minutes from just about everywhere including Raleigh, the Airport, Durham, and Chapel Hill.  It really couldn't get any better than the Piedmont Region where a two hour ride East will find you enjoying Wrightsville beach in Wilmington.  Travel five hours West of Cary and you'll be in the heart of the beautiful Mountain Region of NC.  Outdoor activities like camping  and boating at Jordan Lake  or golfing at one of the many renowned golf courses in the area are just minutes way.    

This is a fantastic time to buy in Cary.  Since inventory is up sellers are more willing to negotiate on the prices which was unheard of in last years market.  We have a great selection of existing homes and new construction available for you to see while you're here.  I've mailed you a relocation packet that includes a Cary Living Magazine, Maps of the Area, New Homes Magazine, and details regarding possible relocation(taxes, utility information, etc) that should come in handy. 

I look forward to our meeting when you make it to Cary, but in the interim please explore my website, read my blog and get to know both me and Cary, North Carolina at your leisure. There is a wealth of information available and I am but an e-mail or phone call away to answer any questions that you might have.

I hope you've enjoyed your brief tour of Cary, NC. I'm convinced that Cary, NC will surely be everything you're looking for in a community for your family.  Please feel free to call me with any questions you may have prior to our get together.

Regards,

Tracy

Dec. 15, 2007 - Look who's blogging - our newly elected Mayor Harold Weinbrecht

How about that! Our new Mayor Harold Weinbrecht has started a blog.  I'm not surprised.  Harold is very well educated and has worked as a software developer for the largest software firm in the area - SAS Institute. 

The primary reason that Harold ousted Ernie McAllister is that citizens felt that the pace and quality of growth in the Triangle's third-largest city wasn't been managed effectively.  Harold campaigned on a more "controlled" growth policy and had a large group of constituents that promoted Harold via the internet.  See previous post I wrote regarding the controversial election that gained national attention.

At Harold's blog he actually encourages other elected officals to start their own "journals".  What a fantastically progressive way for a Mayor to reach out to the citizens that elected him.  Harold plans to post entries in his blog weekly - I know I will be keeping a close tab on the blog and will frequently update my readers on the Mayor and his progress. 

Here are a few highlights from Harold's first post regarding meetings that he has had since the election(Harold didn't take office until December 15th):   

Dec. 14, 2007 - Have a dog with special needs? Visit Town & Country in Apex, NC

On your left is a photo of my dog Maggie.  I call her my "Goofie Girl".  She has allergies and a fettish for shoes, pants, underwear, and "people food".   Regardless of the challenges posed by Maggie, she adores us and we adore her - at least most of the time. 

I thought I have a ton of energy but Maggie has even more.  That is why Maggie's vet told us about Town & Country in Apex.  Town & Country's website talks about the services they provide for dogs that have special needs.  That's my dog. 

Just as I want the best for my child I also want the best for my Maggie.   Town & Country offers a variety of services including boarding, grooming, training, and daycare.  Maggie has been to the Town & Country obedience classes several times but somehow she has succeeded in failing the beginner training class on more than one occassion. 

Besides the training Town & Country offers a drop off service for dogs that they call doggie daycare.  Doggie daycare seems to cure Maggie.  There's nothing like dropping your dog off to play with several other hyper labs for up to 8 hours.  When Maggie gets home from daycare all she wants to do is hang out!!  Watch a video of the daycare "playtime" service here.  During the spring and summer months the dogs have an opportunity to go to the beach, Paw Beach that is.  The link above is a link to of the doggies playing at the beach.

If you decide to board your dog at Town & Country book ahead especially during the holidays. Town & Country offers luxury pet services like sofa time, tv time, and playtime.  I'm not kidding!!

If you live in the Triangle this facility is the best in the area, in my opinion.  If you don't check around with a few of your friends.  You may be lucky and they will have a facility in your area. 

P.S.  I clicked on the video links and good 'ol Maggie had to get in a couple of barks to let me know she really likes Town & Country and that she hasn't been back in a while.  Time to take Maggie back to her hold stomping ground to catch up with her pals.   It's too late to drop Maggie off today.   Maybe I'll just settle for the dog park instead since my Maggie deserves the best. 

Dec. 11, 2007 - Change in Tax Valuation leaves Homeowners Stunned

This year is the dreaded year for real estate tax asessments. Unlike other areas of the country we are blessed with low taxes and our assessment is done only every 8 years. The last assessment in the Triangle was done in the year 2000. I received my assessment in the mail a couple of weeks ago and knew the value would change dramatically. It's great when home values rise but it's not quite as fun to get the tax bill associated with the increase in the value. I'm not the only one dismayed by the change in tax values -Our local paper today ran an article about how homeowners in the area are stunned at the new values.

What homeowners in the Triangle don't realize is that the assessments are pretty accurate based on the overall strength of our real estate market. First, our market has been relatively unscathed by the recent subprime crises. Further, I believe the assessed values are even a tad lower than the market value. Next, why are we complaining? Most areas are assessed annually. Last but not least our millage rates in the Triangle hover around 1% of the overall assessed value. A bargain compared to many states that have high property taxes.

Here's where the average homeowner ended up in the Triangle:

• Wake county property values: 43%
• Average Wake County residential property value: 38%
• Durham county property values: Up 30%
• Average Durham County residential property value: 24%

If you would like to appeal the assessment you can click on the link I provided or if you have any questions about the market relative to your assessment(I've gotten a lot of these calls) please feel to send me an email or visit my website at www.TriangleNCHomes4Sale.com and complete the contact page.

Dec. 11, 2007 - Raleigh NC High Schools - Raleigh has 2 of the US top 100 Public Schools in 2007

Newsweek recently realeased a report with the Top 100 Public High Schools in the US - 2 of the top 100 are located right here in the Triangle. Raleigh Charter School and Enloe High School are listed as two of the best high schools in the Country.

Here are some additional details about the two honored high schools in the area:

#20 Raleigh Charter School - Raleigh Charter High School is located in Historic Pilot Mill right behind Peace College in downtown Raleigh. Founded in 1998, it is a public high schools sponsored by the North Carolina State Board of Education.

Raleigh Charter's mission is to teach highly motivated students in a college preparatory atmosphere. Raleigh Charter is attended by about 500 students and the average class size is 20. The student to teacher ratio is 10:1. Raleigh Charter is located at 1111 Haynes Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. The Raleigh Charter mascot is the Phoenix. The school newspaper is titled The Flame.

#56 Enloe High School The William G. Enloe GT/IB Center for Humanities, Sciences, and Arts (Enloe High School) is a magnet school located in East Raleigh. The school is named for William Gillmore Enloe in 1962, the mayor of Raeligh at the time the school was opened. As far as public shools go it has over 2,500 students enrolled which is quite large for magnet school in this area.

Dec. 11, 2007 - Subprime as we used to know it is OVER!!

If you're home buyer and you have a FICO Score of less than 680 and a down payment of less than 30%, the cost of mortgage money has increased significantly.

Unlike the "subprime" loans of the past several years that have been processed by "subprime departments" of mortgage institutions or brokered to subprime specialists, these loans will be handled routinely. While borrowers with FICO scores of 620 to 680 may not be considered subprime, their scores are "rated" for additional pre-set premiume of from 2% to 3/4%. Further, this "rating" of loans by credit score will encourage many lenders to "push" marginal borrowers into subprime loan instruments as they have often done in the past.

Fannie Mae's most recent report states that the average FICO score for the bundled loans that they buy is 721. That alone indicates a system of "creaming" of loan packages. The new rating of loans based on credit scores alone, is likely to make mortgage financing much more difficult for borrowers with scores of less than 680.

If you think a home buyer with 20% down is a good risk, think again.
The changes in the fees Fannie and Freddie will be requiring of borrowers will, as of March 1, 2008, apply to home buyers with FICO scores of below 680 rather than the former score of 620 or below. Further, and very important, these new fees will apply to home buyers who are putting down less than 30%. That's right, not the traditional 20% required for Private Mortgage Insurance, but 30%.

FOR A $300,000 PURCHASE WITH 10% DOWN:
FICO 620 or below, the premium will be 2% of the amount borrowed and the home buyer will have an additional fee of $5,400.

FICO 620 to 639, the premium will be 1.75% of the amount borrowed. The home buyer will have an additional fee of $4,725.

FICO 640 to 659, the premium will be 1.25% of the amount borrowed. The home buyer will have an additional fee of $3,375.

FICO 660 to 679, the premium will be 0.75% of the amount borrowed. The home buyer will have an additional fee of $2,025.

Of course, borrowers can elect to roll these fees into the mortgage interest rate, thereby raising the interest rate by up to 1/2% or more. Add the higher cost of PMI and it's likely that rates will increase by 1% or more.

HIGHER MORTGAGE INSURANCE PREMIUMS
Sure to follow will be an increase in Private Mortgage Insurance premiums. Some in the industry predict an effective doubling of the PMI costs for conventional conforming loans, those purchased by Fannie and Freddie. On a $300,000 home purchase with a 10% down payment, the Private Mortgage Insurance cost will be about $4,590. Further, many private insurance providers will no longer insure loans with less than 5% down. If your home buyer has a FICO score of 659, their increased cash needs for settlement will increase by about $7,700 or an increase in interest rate to finance the increase cost.

THE AMERICAN DREAM JUST BECAME MORE COSTLY.

RATE SHOPPING AS WE KNOW IT IS OVER.
One thing is for sure. Buyers will find it more and more difficult to shop for lenders with the lowest rate because rates will become much more FICO Score sensitive than before. It will be difficult for any lender to quote a rate without looking at the prospective borrower's credit score. How will this affect the mortgage companies that advertise rates on the Internet??

Dec. 10, 2007 - Upate on the Raleigh Infill Issue