New Model Home Open in Briar Chapel

Throughout the month of January, Briar Chapel has been featuring Homes By Dickerson in its "Builder of the Month" series. If you haven't had a chance to read about the interviews, I encourage you to check out my earlier post.

Homes By Dickerson currently offers a dozen floorplans to choose from in Briar Chapel, ranging in size from 2,000-2,900 sqft with prices starting in the $250s. Five of these plans offer a first-floor master bedroom, including the new Millhaven model home that recently opened across from the Briar Commons park in Phase 5 North (shown here).

This particular plan has a flexible layout with optional one- or two-sided fireplace, open kitchen, and elegant master suite on the main floor. The model also features a large screened porch with plenty of room for dining and entertaining, and a 2-car detached garage.

The second floor includes two additional bedrooms with a full bath, large loft area, and abundant storage. For more photos of the model, check out the virtual tour.

Whether you are searching for the privacy of a more wooded homesite, or something closer to the action - just steps away from the parks and pools - Homes By Dickerson may have just what you're looking for.

Take some time to visit their new model home at 371 Tobacco Farm Way, and see why they have such a great reputation as a green builder.

Consider Energy & Cost Savings Before Finalizing Purchase Decision

If you are in the market to purchase a home, you are likely considering both new homes and older ones listed for resale. Since Briar Chapel consists only of green-certified homes, I would suggest you also consider a third category of homes before finalizing your purchase decision: high-performance homes.

In some cases, location may trump all other buying considerations. For example, if you want to live in a particular neighborhood or area, an older existing home may be your only option (unless you tear it down and rebuild). Otherwise, newly built homes can offer fewer hassles/repairs, less maintenance, higher efficiency, and increased customization. Just keep in mind - not all new homes are built the same!

Consider the chart above, for instance, which compares the annual energy cost for three different sized homes. For example, it shows the annual energy cost of a 2,400 sqft home in Briar Chapel to be approximately $390 less than a similar new home built to code elsewhere. That amounts to $3,120 in savings over an 8-year period, the average amount of time folks tend to live in a home. Similarly, it shows you could save about $6,304 over the same period compared to a home that is 15-years old - the equivalent of several mortgage payments!

Of course, energy cost savings is only one of the reasons you should consider buying a new high-performance home. Other benefits include a healthier indoor environment, increased level of comfort, more durable materials, higher market and resale value, and the list goes on...

Source: Southern Energy Management, the third-party company that conducts performance testing and green program verification on all homes built in Briar Chapel.

Introducing Briar Chapel's Newest Park

Finishing touches are being made to the Briar Commons Park, Briar Chapel's newest addition to an ever growing list of amenities enjoyed by residents. Located in Phase 5 North, this 1.5 acre park features an amphitheater and large formal lawn area for festivals, concerts, and movies. All that remain to be installed are the two structures at each end of the park, which should be complete by early-April.

Most recently, Briar Chapel hosted the 4th Annual Pittsboro Pepper Festival in October and the 3rd Annual TORC 6BC Endurance Race in November near this park. Preparations are underway for another great event in April to coincide with Earth Day celebrations.

When the park is not being used for an event, residents love to use the space to kick a ball around, take a break from riding bicycles, host an informal picnic, play catch, and relax with friends and family. In addition to this park, there is another one in the works for Phase 5 North, which I will cover in a future post.

There are 174 new home sites in Phase 5 North, the newest neighborhood in Briar Chapel. These have been divided among three builders: Saussy Burbank, Homes By Dickerson & David Weekley Homes. Browse a list of available inventory homes, or contact the information center at 888.249.9429 to plan a visit. If you haven't done so already, I also encourage you to check out the interactive home designer that Homes By Dickerson offers for their Village Collection of homes being built in this neighborhood.

Briar Chapel Launches Builder of the Month Series

In January, Newland (the developer of Briar Chapel) launched a new "Builder of the Month" series to learn more about the people behind the companies who are helping to make Briar Chapel a success.

The first builder being featured is Homes By Dickerson. Read about their interview with Jenn Nowalk, Director of Sales & Marketing. In addition to discussing what sets them apart from other builders, she talks the team, its longevity in the Triangle market, and its commitment to quality craftsmanship and green building practices (they are the second largest NAHB Green Certified builder in NC by volume).

View Homes By Dickerson’s current offerings at Briar Chapel.

Update #1: Interview with Brant Chesson, VP of Construction.

Update #2: Interview with Homeowners, Brian & Chandra.
Update #3: Interview with Linwood Strickland, President.