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. 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..

Jul. 31, 2007 - Chatham County Real Estate Continues to Boom

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 fro 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.

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