Vanguard Concept Home Recognized By EPA

Next Tuesday, November 25th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will recognize the Vanguard Homes’ “Sensibly Green” Concept Home in Briar Chapel as the first home in the country to be WaterSense™ labeled. The press conference will be held at 1:30pm in the Concept Home with a reception to immediately follow.

Stephen Johnson, the 11th Administrator of the U.S. EPA, will be one of the special guest speakers, and will discuss the WaterSense New Homes Pilot Program (of which Vanguard Homes is one of only seven builders in the country to participate).

Learn more about the WaterSense™ program, or read the full press release regarding this event.

Parade of Homes Entries

Briar Chapel has 7 entries in this year's Parade of Homes, ranging in price from $345-699K.

I encourage you to stop in a take a look while the Parade is going on from Noon-5pm each of the next three weekends (October 4-5, 10-12 and 17-19). Stay tuned to find out who wins the Parade!

If you like what you see, please give me a call (919-360-1285) so that we can setup an appointment with one of the builders you like the most.

Briar Chapel Grand Opening Today!

Today is the day! Briar Chapel is celebrating its Grand Opening today from 11am-3pm, and you're invited.

In addition to the many activities that have been planned, TORC will be on hand to conduct guided tours of the new walking/biking trails. Cycling Spoken Here will also be on hand for support, and will even have some demo bikes that you can take out for a spin. Hope to see you there!

Grand Opening of Briar Chapel

I hope you'll join me in celebrating the grand opening of Briar Chapel this Saturday, Sept 27th, from 11am-3pm. We've waited a long time for this event, so you know that Newland Communities is going to make it extra special. You don't want to miss it!

In addition to taking a tour of the beautiful model homes, there will be plenty of wonderful activities for the whole family. For directions, click here. Once you get there, please register at the information center and let them know that Peter Winkler sent you.

Virtual Tour of "Briar Club"

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Briar Chapel's clubhouse, the Briar Club, has been completed. Take a virtual tour of this LEED-Certified facility, which includes a number of gathering rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, classrooms, and more.

Vanguard Concept Home Announced

Vanguard Homes announced today that it is currently building a "state-of-the-art" concept home in Briar Chapel, which will "...bridge the gap between ENERGY STAR and extreme green technologies."

According to the press release, the concept home will feature a number of sustainable features, including Water Sense™-qualified dual flush toilets and low-flow faucets, a whole house water filtration system, solar hot water heater, computer-monitored irrigation system, cisterns, an ENERGY STAR Advanced Lighting Package, solar tubes, LEED-certified ceramic tile, and more.

New Feature: Progress Report

If you haven't checked out Briar Chapel in awhile, I encourage you to do so. The development is buzzing with activity, as the four builders prepare for the upcoming grand opening. Already, two homes have been completed (the first residents have already moved into one!), and another 15 are under construction. This is in addition to the 8 model homes that are in the finishing stages. Yes, you read that correctly... 25 homes in a few short months.

To help you keep track of the progress, I will periodically update the report you see to the right of this page. When you're ready to see the progress for yourself, give me a call to setup a tour. Otherwise, if you're in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by the information center and say hello to the great folks from Newland Communities for me!

New Woods Charter School Opens

Yesterday, Woods Charter School celebrated the grand opening of its new 65,000 sqft facility near Briar Chapel. In addition to computer, biology and chemistry labs, the new school includes a gymnasium, a stage for a variety of events, and a soccer field. The new school is already near capacity at more than 485 students, due in part to the fact that the school's SAT scores rank sixth highest for a public school in North Carolina. Newland Communities (the developers of Briar Chapel) donated the 19 acres for the school.

If you're interested in learning more about Woods Charter, check out the school's website, my earlier posts, or the recent article by Chatham Journal.

Early-Bird Incentives Won't Last Long

Folks are always surprised when I show them around Briar Chapel... they're amazed at how much work is being done already. In addition to finishing up their model homes, which have been designed and built specially for Briar Chapel, builders are busy at work on a number of homes for those who signed contracts in early-June. Work also continues on the two pools that are being built behind the new clubhouse. If you haven't already seen the Briar Club, I would love for the opportunity to give you a tour!

If you are at all interested in building a green home and becoming part of Briar Chapel, I encourage you to take advantage of some great incentives being offered before they're gone. Let's schedule some time to visit the community and talk about the green building practices being put into place to give residents the benefits of better energy efficiency, superior indoor air quality and water conservation.

TORC Continues Trailwork at Briar Chapel

Volunteers from Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) continue to make progress on the emerging network of trails in Briar Chapel. Here are some pictures from their most recent work day. Approximately 15-20 miles of trail will ultimately be built, and open to the public, as construction advances through Briar Chapel.

Initial Briar Chapel Homesites Sold Out

Newland Communities announced today that 15 contracts were signed for new homesites during a private preview event held between May 31 and June 6. Briar Chapel’s first buyers were able to personally select their homesite from Phase I of the 2,400 single and multi-family homes planned for the community over the next eight years. Read more...

If you weren't one of the initial buyers, don't fret. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to get together and identify your ideal homesite and builder. Just be aware that the current incentives won't last forever, and prices are likely to increase over time.

Give me a call at 919-360-1285 if you'd like to schedule a tour of Briar Chapel. In addition to showing you around, I would be delighted to discuss the green building and environmental sustainability initiatives they're implementing and practicing at this new 1,589 acre mixed-use, master-planned community.

LEED-Certified "Briar Club" Completed

Briar Chapel's clubhouse, the Briar Club, was recently completed and looks incredible. This LEED-Certified (pending) facility includes a number of gathering rooms (many with beautiful stone fireplaces), a state-of-the-art fitness facility, catering kitchen, classrooms, and offices for HOA staff. All of the artwork, furniture and decor was chosen with one thing in mind, nature. Outside, they're still working on the two pools, a diving well, water slide, splash pad, cabanas, barbecue areas, a children's playground, and picnic glade. I hope you enjoy the slideshow I've put together.

Have You Reserved a Lot Yet?

Only 6 days remain until builders start writing contracts for Briar Chapel on Saturday, May 31st!

If you haven't already met with me and reserved your favorite lot, now is the time to do so. Give me a call today at 919-360-1285 to schedule an appointment.

Limited Release Preview Event

Would you like to have the opportunity to select the home of your choice in Briar Chapel before the public grand opening? If the answer is "yes," please let me know and I will get you an invitation to attend a private, LIMITED RELEASE PREVIEW EVENT that's being held on May 31st.

In order to prepare for this special event, we need to get together to pick a floor plan and location that's right for you. Once we've done that, we'll start the pre-qualification process with an approved homebuilder and get a priority number, which will allow us to choose an appointment time for the preview event.

Time is running out, so let's get started right away. Please call me at 919-360-1285 to get the process started.

Prime Briar Chapel Lots Still Available

If you are interested in Briar Chapel, now is the time to build! Prices are only going to go up, and the best lots won't last long.

I would love to show you all of the great floor plans available to choose from, and introduce you to all that Briar Chapel has to offer. Give me a call today at 919-360-1285 so we can prepare for the upcoming pre-sales event in less than two weeks. Priority numbers are being given out, so time is of the essence.

Misconceptions about Briar Chapel

The other day, I was talking with somone who wasn't all that thrilled about Briar Chapel. As I listened, it quickly became apparent that they had several misconceptions about the development, which were a result of some of the rumors that were floating around Chatham County during the planning stages.

Here are some facts I shared with them about Briar Chapel, which helped to clear up some of the confusion:

• developers have preserved more than 50% (900 acres), including steep slopes, stream beds, significant tree stands, and several historic structures found on-site
• it is the first (and largest) community in the Triangle to require homebuilders to comply with the rigorous new home construction requirements and third-party testing of the N.C. Green Building Initiative, creating high performance, healthier homes with measurable cost savings for residents and contributing to an improved quality of life
• contrary to earlier rumors, Briar Chapel will NOT include a golf course
• 30 percent of the homes face south to increase efficiencies and solar capabilities
• the clubhouse will be LEED-certified
• the developers convinced Thompson Contracting, who is handling site development, to use biodiesel in some of its earth-moving equipment
• 64 units will be made available for affordable housing
• Newland Communities has already donated over $1 million to our local Habitat for Humanity
• all stone used in Briar Chapel is native to the site, including its beautiful masonry walls, roadbeds and trails (but excluding the gravel in the parking lot at the Info Center)
• meandering, bifurcated roadways were designed to maximize the tree canopy for the native birds
• 24 miles of trails connect the entire community
• a $10 million sewage treatment plan was constructed allowing for spray irrigation and the use of reclaimed gray-water irrigation for all open space
• the developers have created and funded a foundation that will support local artists and various green initiatives (more on this later)

I could go on, but I think you get the point. Although no housing development is perfect, I hope you'll agree that Newland Communities is striving to be responsible and make a positive difference in the world by creating enduring, healthier communities.

Briar Chapel Builders Announced

Newland Communities has announced that they have selected four area builders to comprise the builder team for Briar Chapel, who will all be required to build sustainable, environmentally responsible homes. The builder team consists of Chatham Builder Guild, LLC; M/I Homes, Inc.; McNeill Burbank; and Vanguard Homes.

I have already met with some of these builders, and am prepared to assist you in choosing one that will best meet your needs. Please contact me today to get started.


About Chatham Builder Guild
The Chatham Builder Guild, LLC, is a select group of custom builders serving the Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham County area. Based in Chatham County, N.C., this group of award-winning builders was created to provide truly custom construction, innovative design and personalized service which individually-owned and operated firms can offer. Guild associates are long-standing members of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, are consistent Parade of Home winners, and are active participants in the Green Building Council.

About M/I Homes
M/I Homes, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is one of the nation’s leading builders of single family homes. M/I Homes has established an exemplary reputation based on a strong commitment to superior customer service, innovative design, quality construction and premium locations. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, M/I Homes serves a broad segment of the housing market including first-time, move-up, luxury and empty nester buyers.

About McNeill Burbank
McNeill Burbank, an affiliated company of Saussy Burbank, has been crafting new homes in the Raleigh, N.C. area since 1992. McNeill Burbank has built more than 700 new homes and won numerous awards for quality and style. The unique designs borrow architecturally from the past while blending a contemporary, timeless look that's rare today. McNeill Burbank prides themselves on the new communities they have chosen to build in, in just the right locations. Saussy Burbank is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based homebuilder, nationally recognized for building homes with distinctive architectural details and innovative floor plans.

About Vanguard Homes
Vanguard Homes was established in 2006 as the outgrowth of a successful North Carolina-based homebuilding company in operation since 1980. With unwavering determination, Vanguard remains committed to being an area leader in homebuilding quality, service, and innovation validated by measurable differences in community development, product design, and home efficiency.

Senior VP of U.S. Green Building Council Visits Briar Chapel

Newland Communities hosted a pre-event opening reception for the Third Annual Green Home Tour, which occurred this past weekend.

Michelle Moore, the senior vice president of the U.S. Green Building Council, was the guest speaker and discussed Newland’s partnership as a founding sponsor of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide.

To learn more about this historic event, please refer to the press release.

Green Home Tour Starts Tomorrow

I hope you'll join me on the Third Annual Green Home Tour this weekend. With 40 entries, this year's tour should be a fantastic event that you don't want to miss!

All of the homes have been entered in the green-building certification program that's run by the Green Home Builders of the Triangle. You'll see first-hand that green homes can fit a broad spectrum of aesthetic tastes and retain their curb appeal while still being more energy efficient, healthier, and environmentally responsible.

Below is a picture of the Briar Chapel Information Center, one of the entries in the tour. If you visit, please be sure to let the builder's sales agents know that you would like me to represent you in the purchase of your next home.

Directions: Take 15-501 south from Chapel Hill. Go approx 5 miles and take a right at Briar Chapel’s main entrance, Briar Chapel Parkway. Go approx 1.5 miles, and this house (Briar Chapel’s Information Center) will be on the right at the corner of Briar Chapel Parkway and Windy Knoll Circle.

I look forward to seeing you on the tour!

New Briar Chapel Entrance Sign & Artwork Installed

Crews are working around the clock throughout Briar Chapel in preparation for the upcoming Green Home Tour. The most visible work is being done to the 15-501 entrance, including landscaping and a new sign.

In addition, a beautiful new art sculpture was unveiled along the wall opposite the entrance sign on 15-501, which is a stainless steel replica of Carolina smilax leaves. Newland Communities commissioned Jim Gallucci, a local sculptor for more than 25 years, to create the sculpture. Gallucci currently designs and fabricates sculptures in his Greensboro, N.C. studio and has worked as an art instructor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an exhibit designer for the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, N.C.

If you are interested in building a home in Briar Chapel, now is the time to contact me. I've met with many of the builders, and can help you determine which one may best serve your needs. Likewise, I can help you select one of a limited number of available lots - hurry, though, as the best ones will go fast!

Interested in Briar Chapel?

Since launching this blog, I've had many wonderful folks get in touch with me to express interest in Briar Chapel. This has allowed me to educate them about green building, and pass along valuable feedback about what buyers are looking for to the developer.

So, if you haven't already discussed your housing needs with me, I encourage you to do so right away. Why spend your valuable time trying to gather information on your own, when I can fill you in on the details and answer any questions you may have during a short phone call?

I look forward to hearing from you soon! My contact information is listed below for your convenience.

Briar Chapel Launches New Website

Newland Communities has just launched its new website for Briar Chapel, which ties very nicely into the "Path to Nature" advertising campaign they launched a few months ago. Along with the utility and landscaping work along 15-501, this is yet another sign that things are progressing towards the opening of their information center during the Green Home Tour in May. Stay tuned to this blog for more details.

Now is the time to let me know if you are interested in moving to Briar Chapel. By doing so, I can help builders gauge demand, and provide input on what buyers are looking for in terms of size and price.

Blog Author Peter Winkler Becomes Certified EcoBroker®

It's official... I have earned the EcoBroker Certified® designation. This means that I have successfully completed a formal training program on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions. In other words, I am certified to address and encourage the benefits of energy efficiency and green features in homes, such as the ones that will be built in Briar Chapel.

From windows to moisture control to energy savings, I now have more resources at my disposal to help my buyers and sellers make better real estate decisions.

Third Annual Green Home Tour

Mark your calendars! The 3rd Annual Green Home Tour will be held on May 3, 2008 (10 am to 6 pm) and May 4, 2008 (Noon to 6 pm). Including several Briar Chapel entries, there are currently 42 homes on this year's tour. Stay tuned for more details.

Woods Charter School Building Progress Continues

Progress on the new Woods Charter School in Briar Chapel continues. In the photo below, you will see that curbing and sidewalks are being installed. Work is also being done on the inside in order to get the school ready for occupancy in the Fall.

At a recent meeting of Chatham's BOE, the Board discussed several options to relieve overcrowding at the North Chatham School. In addition to installing additional mobile classroom pods and re-assigning students to another school, they discussed the possibility of leasing the current Woods Charter School facility at Cole Park plaza to house some of the North Chatham students. It is scheduled to be vacated by July 1st. A decision will be made at the next meeting on 3/17/08.

Many believe this problem would have been resolved sooner had the new middle school that is planned for Briar Chapel been built on time in 2009 (construction has been delayed until 2010).

Briar Chapel Greenways Progress

Work continues on site development of Briar Chapel. The photo at the right was taken near the 15-501 entrance to the mixed-use development, just behind the recently installed fence. This multi-use paved trail can accommodate two-way traffic and a broad range of users, including pedestrians, cyclists, the handicapped, runners, and strollers. Although this one has an asphalt surface, other trails may be made of either crushed gravel or concrete, depending on location.

Please note that multi-use paved trails are only one type of greenway that is currently planned for Briar Chapel. Other types include: minimum impact (boardwalks), low impact (pervious surface), and sidewalks. Learn more about the types of greenways that will be used in this mixed-use development.

Woods Charter School Announces Waiting List

Woods Charter School has announced that there is a waiting list for the 2008/2009 school year, which will be held in the new school under construction in Briar Chapel.

As of 2/1/08, there were no spots available for grades K-8... K has 85 children on waiting list, 1st has 40, 2nd has 45, 3rd has 50, 4th has 45, 5th has 32, 6th has 26, 7th has 25, and 8th has 8.

High School openings for 10th, 11th and 12th grades will be offered during the month of March. If you haven't submitted your application for these grades, I encourage you to get one in along with a transcript ASAP in order to be considered. Learn more about how the school will manage the waiting list.

Volunteers Need to Help Build Trails in Briar Chapel

Next Saturday (2/9), the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) will continue to make progress on the emerging network of trails in Briar Chapel. Plenty of volunteers are needed in order to complete the first phase of trails, which are slated to open this Spring. Approximately 15-20 miles of trail will ultimately be built as the construction advances through the subdivision.

If you're interested, meet at the Exxon station at the intersection of Andrews Store Road and U.S. 15-501 between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro at 9 a.m. Volunteers will then drive to the worksite from there. If you will be late, please call Stewart Bryan at 619-1335.

Briar Chapel Middle School Occupation Date Moved Up

The Chatham County Board of Education (BOE) held a meeting on Monday, January 28, 2008, at Chatham Middle School.

At this meeting, the BOE held a discussion about the Briar Chapel middle school site - they want to ensure that the new school is ready for use as the 2010 school year begins. As a result, the architects will move the occupation date of the new middle school from June 2010 to April 2010.

This is encouraging news, especially considering that funding has been restored/increased and there is consensus that this school needs to be built soon and done right. For more information, visit the Chatham County Schools website.

Woods Charter School Exterior Almost Complete in Briar Chapel

The new Woods Charter school in Briar Chapel is progressing along very well. The Elementary wing (below) has nearly all of its windows installed. Inside, workers are busy putting up insulation and drywall.

Although the new school will allow them to increase enrollment, there may be a waiting list again for students wishing to get in to this school (ranked 6th on SAT scores in North Carolina). Therefore, if you plan to live in Briar Chapel, I suggest that you start familiarizing yourself with the application and admissions process now.

Briar Chapel Among Recommended Economic Development Nodes

On January 7th, a Chatham County task force recommended that the county put commercial development in major corridor areas and preserve the county's rural character. Briar Chapel was listed among the economic development nodes recommended by the panel.

This means that future residents of Briar Chapel will have convenient access to a variety of retail stores and services. In addition, building standards will promote walkability, which will help reduce traffic and pollution. Likewise, the standards will likely require a number of features that will enhance lifestyle, such as open spaces, areas for outdoor eating, and spaces for bikes and alternative vehicles.

To learn more, read the full story from the N&O. Otherwise, I encourage you to visit the website for Chatham County Major Corridor Ordinance Task Force.

Update to Briar Chapel Development Timeline

I just learned that the pre-sales event I mentioned in a previous post has been postponed until early-May. This will likely coincide with the Green Home Tour put on by the Durham/Wake Home Builders Association.

If you are interested in living in Briar Chapel, you need to start preparing for this event NOW. Give me a call at 919-360-1285 so that we can discuss the possibility of putting your existing home on the market, and start the process of getting you pre-qualified. The earlier you're prepared, the better chance you have to purchase the lot and/or home of your dreams when it becomes available!

2008 Will Be Good Year

Happy New Year!!! Guess what I did today? I spent an hour walking around Briar Chapel with my family! What a great way to get some exercise, spend quality time with the ones you love, and dream about what the future will hold.

I believe that 2008 is going to be a great year for those of you who are looking forward to living in Briar Chapel. Stay tuned for more details about the grand opening, which is only a few months away...