Minta Bell Designers Complete Model Home

Earlier this month, the Minta Bell Design Group started furnishing the McNeill-Burbank townhouse model in Briar Chapel. They stayed true to Al McNeill's vision of creating an authentic home by using real furnishings and accessories instead of props. The finished product is quite impressive!

A few of the special touches include an Eastlake Chest, in which they discovered some linens and old photographs of its previous owner. If you look closely, you will find some of these portraits framed and placed around the home.

In keeping with Briar Chapel's green philosophy, they also used local sources for furnishings and art whenever possible. The table in the art studio, for example, is made of an old door with a new base and a piece of glass on top. The canisters in the kitchen are works by Mark Hewitt, and the vase on the coffee table is by Joseph Sand. The painting over the fireplace is by Marvin Saltzman.

To see photos taken by the designers during the installation, check out their blog: part one, part two, part three, and part four. When you're ready to see the townhomes for yourself, or any of Briar Chapel's other model homes for that matter, please contact me to schedule a tour. I would be honored to introduce you to this wonderful green community.

Murry Handler Art Exhibit Opening at Briar Chapel

The first-ever Briar Chapel/ChathamArts Gallery Satellite Exhibit is set to open later this month. The exhibit will feature the work of NYC artist and award-winning illustrator, Murry Handler.

A reception will be held to celebrate this exclusive exhibit at one of Briar Chapel's model homes while Mr. Handler discusses his work. In addition, one lucky guest will take home a limited edition print of Handler's "Girl with Butterfly" giclee print (below), among his most prestigious pieces. If you wish to attend the event, please call me at 919-360-1285 for more details.

Used With Permission From the Artist

Handler lives in Fearrington Village, and is the author of "Almost a Jew: One Man's Search for God."

Briar Chapel Enjoys National Press Coverage

In case you haven't already seen it, the Associated Press ran the following story recently that featured Briar Chapel: "Homebuilder sentiment index rises in August." This story was picked up by a number of major news outlets around the country, including: New York Times, ABC News, Houston Chronicle, Union-Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and more.

This led to a number of other follow-up stories, which also mention Briar Chapel...

Salt Lake Tribune: Home building rises for a fifth month; San Jose Mercury News: Single-family home building rises for 5th month; New Brunswick Business Journal: Construction of US homes falls one per cent in July...; Examiner.com: US home construction falls 1 percent...; The Plain Dealer: New-home construction flat, but builders optimistic of housing

Experience the Briar Chapel Lifestyle

Throughout the year, Briar Chapel invites my clients to amazing events that give them a taste of what life is like in the community. Past events have included a Sustainable Living Event that featured a cooking demonstration by executive chef of The Fearrington House Restaurant and Country Inn as well as a Wellness Event with the University of North Carolina Wellness Center.

Most recently, we celebrated the 17th annual National Trails Day with guided tours of the trail system in Briar Chapel by the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) followed by a cookout and pool party.

If you are interested in participating in upcoming events planned for this summer, and experiencing the Briar Chapel lifestyle, please contact me to start receiving invitations.

Trail and Art Guide Maps Now Available

Already, over six miles of trails are now open at Briar Chapel. As I've mentioned in previous posts, there will eventually be about 24 miles of trails throughout the community. These will include a mixture of single-track mountain biking trails, boardwalks, paved or mulched walking trails, and sidewalks.

If you are interested in exploring the trails, I suggest you stop by the Information Center and pick up a copy of the new Trail and Art Guide. The free guide illustrates the best routes to see the community’s new art installations, including “Art in Nature” added in spring 2009. When you do, please be sure to let the great folks there know I sent you!

Once you've had a chance to explore the trails, I encourage you to consider helping the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) build the emerging network of mountain biking trails in Briar Chapel. They are doing a wonderful job, and deserve everyone's support.

See you on the trails!

First-Time Homebuyers Take Advantage of Tax Credit

A number of first-time homebuyers have already taken advantage of the tax credit when purchasing a home in Briar Chapel, and so can you!

In case you haven't already heard, Congress recently approved an $8000 First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit for principal residences purchased between Jan 1st and Dec 31st, 2009, with no requirement for payback. Since I'm often asked about this tax credit, I thought I would share some of the most frequently asked questions here:

1) Who is eligible for the tax credit? Only first-time homebuyers are eligible. Someone is considered a first-time buyer if s/he has not had any ownership interest in a home in the three years prior to the day of the 2009 purchase.

2) How much is the incentive worth? Any home that is purchased for $80,000 or more qualifies for the full $8000 credit. Otherwise, if the home costs less than $80K, the credit will be equal to ten percent of the purchase price (i.e. $7500 credit on a $75K purchase).

3) How does the tax credit work? Every dollar of the tax credit reduces your income tax by a dollar. All you have to do is claim the credit on your individual income tax return. In other words, a qualified purchaser would first calculate their total tax due and then reduce this amount by the applicable credit. For example, if someone has a tax liability of $8,500 and is eligible for the full $8000 credit, they can reduce the total tax due to $500. In the event that someone is eligible for the full credit, but they entire tax liability for the year is only $6500, then the IRS would send them a check for $1500.

4) How do I apply for the credit? There is no pre-purchase authorization, application or similar approval process. Eligible homebuyers simply claim the credit on their tax return. The credit will be reflected on a new Form 5405. Visit the IRS website for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: I'm a real estate broker, not a financial advisor! Therefore, I strongly encourage you to talk with a CPA or tax specialist if you have any questions or concerns about this program and its impact on your tax liability. Otherwise, if you'd like to put the credit to good use, and purchase a home in Briar Chapel, I'm here to help!

Briar Chapel Wins Six MAME Awards

Briar Chapel was a big winner at this year's MAME Awards (Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence) from the Triangle Sales and Marketing Council of the N.C. Home Builders Association. They took home top honors in each of the following categories: Best Advertising Campaign for a Master-Planned Community, Best Web Site for a Master-Planned Community, Best Community Information/Welcome Center, Best Community Ad for a Newspaper, Best Community (On-Site) Signage, and Best Brochure.

This competition recognizes local advertising, marketing, merchandising and product design efforts as well as sales volume. Honor recipients included area builders, developers, advertising agencies, graphic firms, interior design firms, landscaping firms, sales professionals and sign and display designers/fabricators. Winners of these coveted awards are recognized as leaders in the industry, providing cutting edge solutions to the home building industry. Kudos to the entire team at Newland for this accomplishment!

Summer Camps & Classes

In case you haven't yet heard, Chatham Arts Council will be offering summer camps & classes at Briar Chapel this summer!

These art camps are meant to give your child an opportunity to experience music, painting and drama. They will also be teaching an adult drawing class.

All classes are held at the Briar Club, and are open to the public with limited space, so act quickly if you’re interested. To learn more or download a registration form, click here.

The Pool is Open!

Briar Chapel's pool facilities opened yesterday for the first time ever!

A number of residents and non-resident members (sorry, member-ships have sold out already), as well as some Newland staff, enjoyed themselves under the watchful eye of the lifeguard staff.

As expected, the water slide and diving well were a big hit among the adults and children. Meanwhile, the younger ones enjoyed the splash pad and zero-entry pool. I particularly like the fact that Briar Chapel uses salt-water chlorination. The water feels smooth, is softer on your skin, and has no chlorine odor.

Folks that were not swimming relaxed on comfortable furniture that was installed last week. For shade lovers (like myself), there were plenty of places to sit under umbrellas or cabanas.

If you would like to see the pool, and experience what life is like at Briar Chapel, please schedule an appointment to tour the community.

1st Annual Briar Chapel 5K Race Results

Over 150 people signed up for the 1st Annual Briar Chapel 5K, which benefited the Abundance Foundation in Chatham County. Overall winners were Jack Morgan (19:04) and Tiffany Thompsen (20:14).

Personally, I had a tough day, and finished much further back in the field. I did, however, enjoy the course - except for the last hill. I'm in the process of getting back into shape, and will be much better prepared next year!

For a complete list of results, visit East Carolina Road Racing.

Green Incentives at Briar Chapel

In honor of the Green Home Tour, Briar Chapel's builder partners are offering the following green home features on all pre-construction sales until May 10th...

McNeill Burbank: Receive a free “Rain Water Harvesting System” as shown in the McNeill Burbank home showcased in the Green Home Tour.

Vanguard Homes: Receive a free tankless water heater.

M/I Homes: Receive an upgraded, high-efficiency heating and air conditioning system (14SEER) for both zones of the home.

Chatham Builder Guild: Receive a free tankless water heater or an upgrade to Icynene® spray foam insulation in the roof.

Please contact me to learn more about these incentives, or to schedule a tour of homes in Briar Chapel.

Briar Chapel’s First Annual 5K Race

I hope you will join me next Saturday (May 9) for the running of the First Annual Briar Chapel 5K Race!

The race starts at 8:00 am, and will follow a brand-new, well-marked, USATF-certified 5K course. Proceeds will benefit the Abundance Foundation, which sponsors innovative ideas to increase awareness of renewable energy and promote local food consumption.

An awards ceremony will immediately follow the race, with awards to overall and age group winners, with refreshments for all participants. You and your family can then attend a private showing of Briar Chapel’s model homes from 8:30 to 9:30 am.

Don’t miss your chance to run on this beautiful new course, tour the energy-efficient green homes, and help support your local community. Race-day registration begins at 6:30 am. For more details, or to pre-register online, visit Active.com.

See you at the race!

4th Annual Green Home Tour Starts Tomorrow!

The 4th Annual Green Home Tour will be held on April 25 & 26 and May 2 & 3. This free, self-guided tour will include 36 green homes in Wake, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Granville, and Alamance Counties.

All homes are enrolled in the green-building certification program administered by the Green Home Builders of the Triangle. Each entry is required to achieve sufficient goals in all of the green building program areas and must conform to at least the bronze level of green certification. See my previous post for a list of homes in Briar Chapel on the tour.

You can pick up a free tour book at a number of local outlets during the week before the tour, including the Briar Chapel Information Center. Otherwise, visit www.TriangleGreenHomeTour.com for more detailed information.

Triangle Green Home Tour Coming Soon!

The 4th Annual Green Home Tour has been expanded to two weekends in 2009: Apr 25-26 and May 2-3. This free, self-guided event will feature 36 entries in six counties.

As usual, the tour will allow you to examine a number of green building features in a wide variety of homes in all styles and price points -- ranging from Habitat and entry-level homes to luxury custom entries.

This year, Briar Chapel will have five homes on the tour, which are listed below. However, it is important to remember that ALL homes in Briar Chapel are required to achieve at least the bronze-level of certification upon completion.

1190 Great Ridge Parkway (McNeill-Burbank)
1194 Great Ridge Parkway (McNeill-Burbank)
1256 Great Ridge Parkway (Vanguard)
1269 Great Ridge Parkway (M/I Homes)
256 Windy Knoll Circle (Chatham Builders Guild)

To learn more about the tour, visit the HBA-DOC website.

Briar Chapel Townhomes Now Underway

McNeill-Burbank has broken ground on their much-anticipated townhomes near the pool! The first of these units will be ready this summer, and each will have a master bedroom on the main floor with direct access to a private courtyard. They come in sizes ranging from 1925-2500 sqft, and are available in 3/4-bedroom, 2.5/3.5-bath configurations. Basements are also available.

Priced from the mid-$200s to high-$300s, these townhomes are sure to be popular with those looking for maintenance-free living in Briar Chapel. If interested, please contact me so that I can tell you about the current incentives being offered and setup a meeting to view floor plans.