I hit my 1 Year Anniversary in Blogging about a week ago.  I decided I'd write a post about my experiences over the past year.  One year seems like a short time and the time past quickly I must admit. However,  I look back at all of the mistakes I made at the beginning.  I really didn't have a voice.   Here's what I do know:

• Blogging takes time and effort
• Due dillegence pays off - I promise
• Less than 4% of all Real Estate Agents are Bloggers
• I didn't have a clue what I was doing a year ago-but have come a long way since then
• There is a lot to learn and the learning curve is steep
• Write action packed posts with lots of pictures to keep your audience's attention
• Study the greats- there are a handful and they really know what they are doing
• As a newbie-find a mentor

I'm thankful to have plenty of real estate experience behind me.  On the other hand I truly believe it is critical to blend the old world of real estate with the new world of real estate.  On-line Marketing is essential to all real estate agents. 

 

 

Have you ever been to Lazy Daze in Cary?  If you haven't you've been missing out for the past 30 years.  Each year the festival has grown and now attracts over 60,000 visitors in downtown Cary. I don't think I'll make it because I have an out-of-town buyer coming to visit but I've been several years in the past.  

Don't miss the areas best arts and crafts, food, and entertainment.   The festival also features entertainment on two stages, a variety of food, and civic group exhibits.  Over 400 vendors from 18 states will be participating. I've even heard they are adding a beer garden for the adults.  I know you've heard me talk about Rankings.  Lazy Daze ranked 30th in the Nation for Classic & Contemporary Craft Shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine. 

Last week I wrote about Money Magzine's most recent article on the Best Places to Live in the US - like many other Activerainers wrote about their towns after the magazine came out with their rankings. 

In addition to the Money Magazine article, The Triangle News and Observer, our local newspaper,  published an article today on the front page of the Cary Real Estate section entitled, "Why is the triangle on top?"  The paper asked several agents around town what's drawing so many people to the area.  The responses were varied from jobs, quality of life, great singles town, and others.  One that I would like to add is that it's a great place to retire too. 

That said, I've compiled the 2007 Triangle Ratings so you can see all of the accolades the Triangle has received just this year.  As you can see the area is well recognized as a great place to live.  For many years this area has been the best kept secret.  It looks like the word has gotten out. 

# 12 Best Market (Raleigh) for Female Executives and Women Business Owners
Bizjournals.com, August 9, 2007

# 4 State (NC) for Biotechnology Strength in Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
Business Facilities, July 2007

# 15 City (Raleigh) for Most Educated Workforce
Business Facilities, July 2007

# 9 State (NC) in U.S. Biotechnology Breadth
Business Facilities, July 2007

# 22 Great American Town (Holly Springs)
CNNMoney.com, July 2007

# 14 Great American Town (Apex)
CNNMoney.com, July 2007

# 63 of America's Fastest Growing Suburbs (Apex)
Forbes, July 16, 2007

# 18 of America's Fastest Growing Suburbs (Holly Springs)
Forbes, July 16, 2007

# 20 of America's Fastest Growing Suburbs (Wake Forest)
Forbes, July 16, 2007

# 3 Best State (NC) for Business
Forbes, July 11, 2007

# 6 Top Market (Raleigh) Ranked for Small Business Growth
American City Business Journals, Inc., July 8, 2007

# 3 R&D Cluster Region (Raleigh-Durham)
Fast Company, July 2007

# 1 Top Home Sellers' Market (Raleigh)
Forbes, June 22, 2007

# 4 Best City (Raleigh) for Young Singles
Kiplinger's Personal Finance/Richard Florida, June 2007

# 16 State (NC) in Fairness of Its Litigation Environment
Harris Interactive Poll, 2007

# 3 Medium Market Best City (Raleigh) for Relocating Families
Bert Sperling's BestPlaces, 2007

# 3 Small Market Best City (Durham) for Relocating Families
Bert Sperling's BestPlaces, 2007

# 3 Overall Quality of Life Mid-Sized Metros (Raleigh-Cary)
Expansion Management's 2007 Quality of Life Quotient, May/June 2007

# 10 Top State (NC) for Recruitment and Attraction
National Policy Research Council, Expansion Management, May/June 2007

# 10 Top Large Metro (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) for Recruitment and Attraction
National Policy Research Council, Expansion Management, May/June 2007

5-Star Quality of Life Metros (Raleigh-Cary)
Expansion Management's 2007 Quality of Life Quotient, May/June 2007

# 8 Top Large County (Wake) for Recruitment and Attraction
National Policy Research Council, Expansion Management, May/June 2007

# 3 Best City (Raleigh) for African Americans to Work, Live and Play
Black Enterprise, May 18, 2007

# 2 Most Competitive State (NC)
The 2006 Competitiveness Award, Site Selection, May 2007

# 5 Hot Market State (NC)
Southern Business & Development, Spring 2007

# 4 Best Metro (Raleigh) Where Women Meet Men
Men's Health, April 2007

# 3 of America's Best Jobs in the Hottest Markets (Raleigh-Durham, NC)
CNNMoney.com, April 26, 2007

# 5 Top Knowledge Worker Metro (Durham)
Expansion Management's 2007 Knowledge Worker Quotient, April 12, 2007

# 7 Top Metro (Durham) for University R&D Spending
Expansion Management's 2007 Knowledge Worker Quotient, April 12, 2007

# 3 Top Metro (Raleigh-Cary) for College-Educated Workers
Expansion Management's 2007 Knowledge Worker Quotient, April 12, 2007

5-Star Knowledge Worker Metros (Durham & Raleigh-Cary)
Expansion Management's 2007 Knowledge Worker Quotient, April 12, 2007

# 10 Top Metro (Durham) for Scientists and Engineers
Expansion Management's 2007 Knowledge Worker Quotient, April 12, 2007

# 1 Best Place (Raleigh) for Business & Careers
Forbes, April 5, 2007

# 7 Best Place (Durham) for Business and Careers
Forbes, April 5, 2007

# 1 Best Cities for Jobs (Raleigh-Cary MSA)
Forbes, February 16, 2007

# 3 Best Places (Raleigh-Durham) for Value Vacations for 2007
Hotwire, January 2007

# 6 Top Tech Town (Raleigh-Durham)
Wired, January 2007

Despite a downturn in the residential real estate market in many areas across the country, the Triangle posted yet another record year in 2006 for new home starts and closings.

From what I can see, the Triangle housing market is in excellent shape through 2007 with a potential for significant housing equity gains, particularly for homebuyers who plan to remain in their house for the long run. In fact, the Raleigh-Cary MSA was rated #15 in appreciation in the country for 2007 by a leading housing authority. The Triangle had very favorable home price-to-income ratios and even better mortgage servicing cost-to-income ratios. The latter ratio is currently below the local historical average implying no widespread financial overstretching to purchase a home in the region.

Forbes Magazine named the Triangle Region the #1 region for Job Growth--It doesn't get any better than that. Through June of 2007 overall inventory is flat (more new homes offset by fewer resales) from last year and resales are down 4.5%. We are looking at an appreciation rate of 4.55% which is the highest I've seen in 15 years in this area.

Holly Springs Real Estate - Market Conditions Update: 

The average supply on the market is four months of inventory.

• $100-$300k price range has a supply of inventory of three months or less

• The top appreciating development in Holly Springs is Crescent Ridge at 11.05%

• The top selling neighborhood w/121 sales is Sunset Ridge at an average price of $308,901.

• Other top selling communities in Holly Springs include Holly Glen, Braxton Village, Oaks of Avent Acres, Arbor Creek, and Trailwoods. 

• The average price resale home in this area is $214,000 and the average price new home in this area is $278,000.

Holly Springs, North Carolina Community Profile

Holly Springs is a town in Wake County. As of the 2006 census, the town population was over 15,000, gaining the title of "The fastest growing town in The Carolinas".

It was 1992 before Holly Springs, in line for the spillover from burgeoning populations in Cary and Apex, suddenly boomed. Population increased from 900 in 1992 to an estimated 6000 in 1998.

Holly Springs continues to grow and evolve as the town becomes more accessible for commuters into Research Triangle Park.  Road work that will make this possible includes the new 55 Bypass, widening of HWY 1, and access to the future extension of I-540.  The Town now boasts two public elementary schools a middle school, and the new Holly Springs High School. A Wake County southwest branch library and a cultural arts facility opened in early December 2006. 

One of the most recent focuses for the Town is the development of Commercial Growth in Holly Springs.  The Holly Springs Business Park and other retail establishments are beeing built on a regular basis.  On July 18, 2006, it was announced that the pharmaceutical giant Novartis would be building a manufacturing facility in Holly Springs employing approximately 350 to produce flu vaccines using new technologies. The manufacturing facility will go on 167 acres in Holly Springs Business Park off N.C. 55 Bypass. Construction will begin in early 2007, with the first phase scheduled for completion by late 2008. Novartis' investment would be at least $267 million and eventually could reach $600 million.

Now with a brand new High School, Holly Springs High School ,  Holly Springs has new room for growth. New neighborhoods are to be built near the school, and a strip-mall is being built because of it. Many of the students that attend Holly Springs High School live in the super neighborhood complex of Sunset Ridge , a now thriving home subdivision that has spawned its own private water park, a restaurant, and a whole host of other small businesses. The entire area of Holly Springs has grown tremendously between the years of 2004 and 2006. The town has received a new strip mall with an Ale House style restaurant, a Mexican Restaurant, a Lowe's Foods, a Dollar Tree, and several other fast food chains including Quizno's, and a Chinese food chain. In another area of town, off a main road (Holly Springs Road), a Harris Teeter strip-mall was built with other restaurants and stores opening. A new strip mall featuring a Wal-Mart Super Center is also being constructed off Highway 55. New growth has expanded the population, and growth yet to come will enlarge it even more. Holly Springs is one of the few municipalities that provide team sports directly by the town for residents including football, baseball (served by four professional fields), basketball and recreational soccer. There is also a non-profit challenge soccer league called the Holly Springs Futbol Club. Holly Springs is truly one of the "fastest growing towns in North Carolina".

There's no doubt about it.  In the competitive world of Real Estate in a hot market like the Triangle and Cary NC Real Estate Market I have a distinctive advantage!! My background in Business Development, working with customers, understanding consumers wants and needs, and how to "Get the Word out" have helped my business tremendously. 

I have the abiltiy to do things that agents that have been in the business 30+ years do not.  I'm tech savvy, internet conscious, and know how to find real time information on properties that make me a better agent.  I can write a contract in my car on my HP Tablet PC Laptop (see my previous blog on this tool), get signatures, and print or fax the contract to the LA/SA with my wireless printer ON THE SPOT!!! The Triangle Area has some of the most sophisticated and educated workers in the country.  Why not use the Tools of the Trade they use to provide them with a distinct advantage!   Attached is a link to HP's website educating Realtors about the benefits of going mobile which you can find here. 

Why would we ever go back to the old days when agents didn't have the tools we have today?  I know my clients do their homework.  They go to the web and see who has a presence. 

They ask questions like these?

Who does their homework? Who knows the neighborhoods? Who knows how to negotiate the best deal?  My clients know I've got what it takes and choose me time and time again because of my expertise and background.  They know that, in a competitive market like the Triangle's, I have real time information on properties to negotiate the best deal when there are multiple offers on the FIRST day!!

Thanks for visiting and hearing my voice.  Yes, that's my voice and my opinion.  I'd love to help you find the best home for you and your family in the Triangle.  Visit my website or Email me at Tracy@TracySantrock.com for more information.

 have had several requests for a "Gated Community List" in the Triangle so I thought I'd publish the list for those that are interested.  The Triangle are is not known for having many gated communities.  Most of these communities are small and elite neigbhorhoods.  For your reference here are the details and some photos to go along with the post. 

North Raleigh

1. Stone Falls-Off of Falls and the Neuse and Durant.  Currently no homes on the market.  Homes built in 1995-2000
2. Olde Raleigh-Off of Duraleigh Road.  Homes built in 1989-1997.  Stately traditional homesLocated in a beautifully wooded area between Duraleigh and Edwards Mill Road near Rex Hospital and I-40. The Olde Raleigh community features three gated entrances with nightly security service, three beautiful lakes with centerpiece fountains, indoor & outdoor swimming pools, and two tennis courts. .  Resales start in the high $700s.
3. Bay Leaf Farm-
4. Conveniently located off of Six Forks Rd.  Right on ssum Track. At Fork Stay Right on Possum Track. Go Apprximately 1 Mile to Gated Entrance to Bayleaf Farm on the Right. 
5. 23 Homesites total in this community, about 5 left.  $2M-$3M.
6. Greywalls at Trego-Off of Falls of the Neuse and Honeycutt.  Greywalls homes built in 1990's and a few in 2005. Also a few in 1975.  Price point $800s to over $1M.
7. The Barony-North of I-540.  Small community w/29 lots.  Homes start at $1.5M.
8. Linville- 44 Estate Homes w/minimum of 1 Acre.  Prices start close to $2M. New homes by top custom builders.  Community by Creedmoor Partners.
9. Adams Mountain-Large two acre lots outside I-540.  Homes built in the mid 80s to mid 90s.  Prices start in the low $500s to $750s.

 

Durham

1. Four Seasons at Lattamoor- Gated community in North Durham near Eno River.  Prices in the $200s.  Homes built 1999-2002
2. Hills of Rosemont-Prices start at $2M.  Located off of 751 towards Jordan Lake off of O'Kelly Church Rd. 

 

Chatham County

1. The Legacy at Jordan Lake-Gated 628 Acre Gated Community adjacent to The Preserve.  Six phases of construction w/463 lots sold to individual buyers.  Buyers have five years to build with a custom builder of their choice.  Planned spa community with an indoor fitness pool, tennis courts, hiking trails and easy access to all the water activities of Jordan Lake. 

Chapel Hill/Orange County

1. Talbryn-Off of Dairyland,  turn right on Union Grove Church Road, and Talbryn is on the right. Mid 90s.  Resale:  $1.5M.
2. The Valley at Governor's Club- Lots of options in this community.  They even have few lots left-you should see those in the land listings I send to you. 

 

In 1996 Cary and Carrboro passed ordinances banning gated communities.  They were approved because of concerns that such communities were exclusionary and that they could delay the responses of fire trucks and ambulances.

 

Buyer's market? Seller's market? Get a snapshot of current conditions in your area from a local real estate professional. Click on your state or province below. Top > North Carolina > Cary Market Conditions for Cary, North Carolina Reported by Tracy Santrock, REALTOR, ePRO As of February 27, 2007. Current Market Rating: 3 1 2 3 4 5 Buyer's Seller's Current Price Trend: 4 1 2 3 4 5 Falling Rising In many regions across the United States home prices have been rising sharply, and media coverage has predicted a burst in the "so-called" housing market bubble. Are you are concerned about a possible real estate bubble in Cary? " The National Association of Realtors Research Division recently conducted a home price analysis in the Raleigh-Cary MSA. The reports concluded that there was very little danger of a housing market bust in this region. In fact, the reports stated that local housing markets were in excellent shape with a potential for significant housing equity gains, particularly for homebuyers who plan to remain in their house for the long run. Additionally, local markets had very favorable home price-to-income ratios and even better mortgage servicing cost-to-income ratios. The latter ratio is currently below the local historical average implying no widespread financial overstretching to purchase a home in the region. Any respectable gains in the Raleigh-Cary job market could translate into substantial home price gains. As of February 2007 Forbes Magazine just named the Triangle area the #1 area for job growth. This will have a tremendous impact on inventory availability and appreciation rates going into the hot spring market. Keep this mind as you contemplate investing in this market. Year-End Summary for 2006: -Average price resale home in the area is $252,000 -Average price of a new home is $363,000. -House price appreciation isn this area is uperior to the average rate for housing located in Wake County. -Decline in inventory shot up the appreciation rate to 10.46% in 2006 vs. 4.5% in 2005. -Overal inventory is between 2-3 months. -Price categories with the smallest inventory include single family homes under $400,000. -Price categories with the largest inventory include the $1M+ price range with over 21 months of inventory. More Information view my blog at http://TracySantrock.Realtownblogs.com or email for the detailed NAR report @ Tracy@TracySantrock.com ZIP Codes: 27513, 27511, 27519 Location Characteristics: Named for Prohibition leader Sen. Samuel Fenton Cary (1814-1900) of Ohio, the once-sleepy railroad town of Cary has attracted - and continues to attract - many newcomers. In fact, Cary is the third-largest city in the Triangle. A large part of its appeal is not only its close proximity to Research Triangle Park, but also its neat fit into the American dream of suburbia. Money magazine recently named Cary the Hottest Town in the East and one of the six best places to live in the country. It has the highest median household income in Wake County ($75,122), and more than two-thirds of Cary residents hold a college degree. Planning, planning and more planning is Cary's adage. It takes but one drive around Maynard Road, which circles Cary, to understand the vision: planned neighborhoods with large homes, two-car garages and well-groomed lawns as far as the eye can see. On the business front, Cary is home to such leading companies as SAS Institute, American Airlines and John Deere. However, unlike many towns, commercial development is regulated much the same as residential development. While other Triangle towns have rules governing residential neighborhoods, Cary insists on tasteful commercial buildings that match the surroundings. That attention to detail has proved very beneficial when dealing with the population explosion in Cary. In fact, Cary has doubled its population every decade since 1960. As the seventh-largest municipality in the state, Cary has grown from 43,000 in 1990 to more than 110,000 today. Forecasters predict that by 2020, Cary will add another 60,000 residents. To handle the expansion, city leaders and developers carefully control development and have built an infrastructure to absorb the growth. In fact, it wasn't until recently that the voice to slow down Cary's growth was heard. Lately, Cary officials have been developing innovative growth controls. Some of these include requiring developers to prove there are enough roads and classrooms to accommodate the newcomers, as well a $70 million expansion of the water treatment plant that serves Cary and nearby Apex, a project that has won national awards. In addition, Cary's land-acquisition ordinance requires builders to donate land to the city's Parks and Recreation Department based on the number of houses that will be built. Currently, Cary has 20 city parks, including the Fred G. Bond Metro Park and Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. There's also the Kids Together Park with a large playground. In addition to community swimming pools, tennis courts and some of the finest golf courses in the area, these green spaces are what make people from all over the country want to call Cary home. WakeMed Cary Hospital near Tryon Road and Kildaire Farm Road has helped to serve the growing population's need for, and access to, convenient medical care. Walk around downtown Cary where Chatham and Academy streets meet, and you feel like you're in a small town. This is where Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, considered one of the finest festivals in the state, is held annually. Also downtown is the Page-Walker Arts and History Center, formerly the Page-Walker Hotel, which was built in 1868 to serve train passengers. Homes in and around downtown were mostly built during the 1950s. Once considered the outskirts of town, the Greenwood Forest subdivision is now in the middle. Built during the 1950s and '60s, it is bordered by Walnut Street and East Maynard. Close by are Cary High School, Cary Village Square shopping center and Cary Towne Center Mall. Cary first began growing southward with the MacGregor Downs subdivision - the first prestigious development in Cary. Built in the 1960s with large lots and homes off U.S. 64, MacGregor Downs defines Cary's southernmost point. In fact, many claim that Cary's reputation for upscale residential living is due to this subdivision. Condominiums and homes command good prices, especially in the MacGregor West neighborhood, adjacent to MacGregor Downs Country Club, where you can find estate-size homesites of one to five acres. Kildaire Farms, North Carolina's first planned unit development (PUD) with various style homes in different price ranges, was developed along Kildaire Farm Road and Cary Parkway during the 1970s and '80s. This community has more than 2,500 residential units throughout its neighborhoods, a greenway system with jogging trails and bike paths, the Kildaire Farms Racquet and Swim Club and the Cary Athletic Club located within its boundaries. Regency Park, a PUD developed during the 1980s, includes commercial as well as residential buildings. It's located off the intersection of U.S. 1 South and U.S. 64. Regency Park Estates, tucked away in Regency Park adjacent to Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, is a neighborhood where every homesite is an acre or larger. Lochmere, a PUD not far from Regency Park on the southern end of Kildaire Farm Road east of U.S. 1, also was developed in the 1980s. With a lake, miles of nature and jogging trails, swim and tennis clubs, golf and several different neighborhoods in all price ranges, Lochmere has been a very successful community. Due west, the community of Preston is credited for reshaping Cary. Preston, located off High House Road, offers houses ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. Traditional, transitional and contemporary homes are found throughout this PUD. As in other developments of its kind, Preston has golf (54 holes), swimming, tennis, an exercise facility, playgrounds and picnic shelters, as well as the Prestonwood Country Club. Other communities developed during the '80s and '90s pulled Cary northward up Harrison Avenue. Some of these neighborhoods include Wessex, an upscale community with a swimming pool and tennis courts; North Harrison Trace, a single-family community with a number of home designs; and Beechtree, which includes townhomes, cluster homes and single-family homes. This area of Cary offers easy access to I-40, Lake Crabtree and Umstead Park.

Waverly Place might look a lot more like North Hills Mall in a couple of years thanks to plans to revamp the shopping center.  We've always loved the location but we've struggled with the current design.  Durham developer Zapolski and Rudd, which has owned the aging center since January 2005, is hoping to turn Waverly into a mixed-use project containing retail, residential and office space.  

BIG PLANS FOR WAVERLY

The developer has filed tentative plans with the town of Cary for the re-devlopment of Waverly Place.  Among the updates are:

* More retail space, from 205,570 square feet to 237,770.

* That includes a new Whole Foods store, which will be almost twice the size of the existing one and in a stand-alone building at the corner of the site.

* Demolishing about half of the existing buildings and renovating the rest.

* 165,225 square feet of office space.

* A 24,170-square-foot entertainment venue, such as a movie theater or music hall.

* More than 200 homes, including apartments and condos.

* A 150-room hotel.

* A 600-car underground parking ramp where the lower level of the center is today

This is exciting news for the community!!   Grand opening is scheduled for 2009!!

Named for Prohibition leader Sen. Samuel Fenton Cary (1814-1900) of Ohio, the once-sleepy railroad town of Cary has attracted - and continues to attract - many newcomers.

In fact, Cary is the third-largest city in the Triangle. A large part of its appeal is not only its close proximity to Research Triangle Park, but also its neat fit into the American dream of suburbia. Money magazine recently named Cary the Hottest Town in the East and one of the six best places to live in the country. It has the highest median household income in Wake County ($75,122), and more than two-thirds of Cary residents hold a college degree.

Planning, planning and more planning is Cary's adage. It takes but one drive around Maynard Road, which circles Cary, to understand the vision: planned neighborhoods with large homes, two-car garages and well-groomed lawns as far as the eye can see.

On the business front, Cary is home to such leading companies as SAS Institute, American Airlines and John Deere. However, unlike many towns, commercial development is regulated much the same as residential development. While other Triangle towns have rules governing residential neighborhoods, Cary insists on tasteful commercial buildings that match the surroundings.

That attention to detail has proved very beneficial when dealing with the population explosion in Cary. In fact, Cary has doubled its population every decade since 1960. As the seventh-largest municipality in the state, Cary has grown from 43,000 in 1990 to more than 110,000 today. Forecasters predict that by 2020, Cary will add another 60,000 residents.

To handle the expansion, city leaders and developers carefully control development and have built an infrastructure to absorb the growth. In fact, it wasn't until recently that the voice to slow down Cary's growth was heard. Lately, Cary officials have been developing innovative growth controls. Some of these include requiring developers to prove there are enough roads and classrooms to accommodate the newcomers, as well a $70 million expansion of the water treatment plant that serves Cary and nearby Apex, a project that has won national awards.

In addition, Cary's land-acquisition ordinance requires builders to donate land to the city's Parks and Recreation Department based on the number of houses that will be built. Currently, Cary has 20 city parks, including the Fred G. Bond Metro Park and Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. There's also the Kids Together Park with a large playground. In addition to community swimming pools, tennis courts and some of the finest golf courses in the area, these green spaces are what make people from all over the country want to call Cary home.

WakeMed Cary Hospital near Tryon Road and Kildaire Farm Road has helped to serve the growing population's need for, and access to, convenient medical care.

Walk around downtown Cary where Chatham and Academy streets meet, and you feel like you're in a small town. This is where Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, considered one of the finest festivals in the state, is held annually. Also downtown is the Page-Walker Arts and History Center, formerly the Page-Walker Hotel, which was built in 1868 to serve train passengers. Homes in and around downtown were mostly built during the 1950s.

Once considered the outskirts of town, the Greenwood Forest subdivision is now in the middle. Built during the 1950s and '60s, it is bordered by Walnut Street and East Maynard. Close by are Cary High School, Cary Village Square shopping center and Cary Towne Center Mall.

Cary first began growing southward with the MacGregor Downs subdivision - the first prestigious development in Cary. Built in the 1960s with large lots and homes off U.S. 64, MacGregor Downs defines Cary's southernmost point. In fact, many claim that Cary's reputation for upscale residential living is due to this subdivision. Condominiums and homes command good prices, especially in the MacGregor West neighborhood, adjacent to MacGregor Downs Country Club, where you can find estate-size homesites of one to five acres.

Kildaire Farms, North Carolina's first planned unit development (PUD) with various style homes in different price ranges, was developed along Kildaire Farm Road and Cary Parkway during the 1970s and '80s. This community has more than 2,500 residential units throughout its neighborhoods, a greenway system with jogging trails and bike paths, the Kildaire Farms Racquet and Swim Club and the Cary Athletic Club located within its boundaries.

Regency Park, a PUD developed during the 1980s, includes commercial as well as residential buildings. It's located off the intersection of U.S. 1 South and U.S. 64. Regency Park Estates, tucked away in Regency Park adjacent to Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, is a neighborhood where every homesite is an acre or larger.

Lochmere, a PUD not far from Regency Park on the southern end of Kildaire Farm Road east of U.S. 1, also was developed in the 1980s. With a lake, miles of nature and jogging trails, swim and tennis clubs, golf and several different neighborhoods in all price ranges, Lochmere has been a very successful community.

Due west, the community of Preston is credited for reshaping Cary. Preston, located off High House Road, offers houses ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. Traditional, transitional and contemporary homes are found throughout this PUD.

As in other developments of its kind, Preston has golf (54 holes), swimming, tennis, an exercise facility, playgrounds and picnic shelters, as well as the Prestonwood Country Club.

Other communities developed during the '80s and '90s pulled Cary northward up Harrison Avenue. Some of these neighborhoods include Wessex, an upscale community with a swimming pool and tennis courts; North Harrison Trace, a single-family community with a number of home designs; and Beechtree, which includes townhomes, cluster homes and single-family homes. This area of Cary offers easy access to I-40, Lake Crabtree and Umstead Park.