Saturday, December 28, 2013

Briar Chapel 2013 Year-End Review

The following is excerpted from Newland's recent Community Development Update:

Briar Chapel continues to grow leaps and bounds in 2013!

HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS…
  • Briar Chapel celebrated its Five Year Anniversary in October with a hot air balloon media tour. A huge thank you to all the residents who came out in support, particularly the Green Thumb Club and our milestone residents!
  • We are on the verge of having 450 residents call Briar Chapel home, with over 50 estimated home closings expected to occur in the next six months.
  • The new section of villas, “Boulder Park Villas,” launched in April. Featuring homes built by ForeverHome, LLC and M/I Homes, lawn maintenance is standard. This area is also home to Boulder Park, which features an additional community garden, bocce ball courts, horseshoes, and a fire pit! [Homes By Dickerson has homesites available in this phase as well.] 
  • This past quarter, three new builders were introduced to the community—Drees Homes, Garman Homes, and Beazer Homes. Alongside David Weekly Homes, they’re building a variety of home styles and sizes in our newest phase. Also located here is Discovery Park, which offers relaxing hammocks, a fossil dig area, outdoor art, and historical features.
  • Briar Chapel has had some great events this year. HOA events, such as the July 4th Bash, Fall Festival and the Craft Fair, have had great resident involvement. Briar Chapel marketing events have been equally successful; the Swim for Smiles youth triathlon was a hit and helped raise money for NC Children’s Hospital, and the annual Pepper Festival brought out more than 1,000 folks who enjoyed local food and live music, all in support of The Abundance Foundation. Just a few weeks ago, our annual 6BC Mountain Bike Endurance Race brought out nearly 150 riders.
  • Irrigated areas along the parkways as well in the Boulder Park villa section were integrated into a centralized irrigation system using recycled water in an effort to decrease the amount of potable water we utilize from Chatham County.
  • Final asphalt paving was concluded on many of the parkways and secondary streets.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES...
  • Briar Chapel is now the third best-selling community in the Triangle (as reported by Metrostudy based on 3Q13 annual starts)!
  • In the 2013 HBA-Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties Parade of Homes, builder entries in Briar Chapel received two gold, two silver, and three bronze awards!
  • Three Newland Communities have consistently ranked in the top 10 and 20 best-selling, master-planned communities in the U.S. (as ranked by RCLCo 2009-2013)
ON THE HORIZON...
  • The next phase of development known as the Great Meadow is well underway. You have likely seen the construction activity for this new phase across from Margaret B. Pollard Middle School over the past several months. A multi-acre linear park programmed for activity will be the focal point of this area and will feature a unique and engaging mix of active and passive recreational amenities. More specific details about these amenities will be forthcoming in early 2014. With homes becoming available in this area in late 2014, you can expect to see a variety of homes similar to the current offerings in Briar Chapel, plus a few new and exciting additions.
  • Several storm water ponds in the completed phases of the development are undergoing conversions from sediment control devices to permanent ponds. This process entails the removal of silt from the pond bottom and the re-establishment of the grading for the ponds, including the aquatic plant shelves around the perimeter. Unique plants will be installed along these “shelves” in order to perform the appropriate water quality functions.
  • Some mountain biking trail extensions are underway; across from the clubhouse playground, a loop is almost completed. Also, towards the end of this year, a connection along the overhead power line out to 15-501 is planned to be completed.
  • This summer, the reclaimed irrigation system began operating. While this irrigation will primarily be used in the highly maintained open spaces, some irrigation will occur throughout the property. During the non-traditional irrigation seasons, the reclaimed water will typically be irrigated in the wooded open spaces off the main parkway.
  • 95% of the final lift of asphalt in Phases 4, 5S, and 5N is complete. Based on winter weather and asphalt plant schedules, the remaining work may not be completed until spring. Final punchlist items and encroachment agreements are being reviewed by NCDOT. Full maintenance responsibility by NCDOT will not occur until the punchwork is complete and the encroachment agreements are in place. These items are anticipated to happen by mid-2014.
  • Interest by end-users for the commercial properties along the Hwy 15/501 corridor has increased in recent months. The project team is working with local and regional brokers and developers to plan and promote these properties, and the small interior retail site, in the hope of generating some retail and commercial activity soon.
LONG-TERM OUTLOOK...
  • Briar Chapel’s plan for amenities is comprehensive and will continue to be phased in over time. In addition to the main pool and clubhouse area, the multitudes of neighborhood parks located throughout the community and the Great Meadow linear park which is planned to
    be introduced in 2014, the community will feature tennis and sport courts. The location
    and timing of these courts will be determined within the next several months. (All plans are subject to change.)
If you are interested in learning more about Briar Chapel, the quality amenties residents enjoy, or the high-performance homes being built here, please call Jen Winkler at 919-593-3662.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Year-End Sale on Move-In Ready Inventory Homes in Briar Chapel

As is often the case towards the end of a calendar year, homebuilders are hoping to sneak in a few extra sales before the ball drops in Times Square. We polled the builders in Briar Chapel, and here is a list of the move-in ready homes they're most ready to make deals on...

HOMES BY DICKERSON
  • Lot 476 (1900 Briar Chapel Pkwy): "Riverton" with 3 beds, 3 baths, master down, 2054 sqft, $329,900 - Photos
  • Lot 481 (2104 Briar Chapel Pkwy): "Castlebrooke" with 4 beds, 3.5 baths, master up, 2400 sqft, $349,900 - Photos
  • Lot 92 (669 Bennett Mountain Trace): "St. James" with 5 beds, 4.5 baths, master down, 3559 sqft, $523,900 - Photos
GARMAN HOMES
  • Lot 642 (2389 Briar Chapel Pkwy): "BCH 2: South Bound Train" with 3 beds, 2.5 baths, master up, 1950 sqft, $285,000 - Photos
  • Lot 643 (2397 Briar Chapel Pkwy): "BCH 3: Classy Kind of Sassy"with 4 beds, 3 baths, master up, 2200 sqft, $295,000 - Photos
FOREVERHOME
  • Lot 190 (502 Bennett Mountain Trace): "Sullivan" ranch with 4 beds, 3 baths, 2 half-baths, master on main, basement, 3937 sqft - $539,900
DAVID WEEKLEY HOMES
  • Lot 252 (78 Harlow Bend): "Yarborough" with 3 beds, 2.5 baths, master up, 2348 sqft - $342,600 - Photos
  • Lot 535 (139 N. Serenity Hill Circle): "Milliron" with 3 beds, 2.5 baths, master up, 2638 sqft - $389,700 - Photos
SAUSSY BURBANK
  • Lot 510 (27 Winkler Way): "Palmer/Corner" townhome with 3 beds, 2.5 baths, master up, 1628 sqft - $214,900 - Photos
M/I HOMES
  • Lot 731 (80 Heatherwood Drive): "Nandina A" villa with 3 beds, 3 baths, master down, 1959 sqft - $299,990
Of course, there are many other homes that are at or near completion for you to choose from. Call Jen today at 919-593-3662 to setup an appointment to see any of these!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Weather Forecast for Briar Chapel this Saturday: SNOW!

Briar Chapel is hosting a Winter Wonderland this Saturday from 1:30-4:00pm at Boulder Park, and you're invited!

At the event, children of all ages will get to enjoy:
  • snow & sledding (!!!)
  • greeting Santa
  • decorating cookies
  • hot chocolate and cider
  • mingling with residents to learn what the Briar Chapel lifestyle is all about

Admission to this event is one unwrapped toy for Toys-for-Tots. Due to the weather forecast for Saturday, the festivities are being moved inside the Briar Club.

If you attend the event, be sure to stop by and see Peter at the Homes By Dickerson model home located at 669 Bennett Mountain Trace.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Shine On! Clean Energy Forum for Homeowners in Briar Chapel Tonight

Southern Energy Management, the company that installed our solar panels, will be hosting "Shine On!," an open solar forum tonight (Tuesday, December 3, 2013) from 5:30-6:30pm at the Briar Club.

The event will educate homeowners on the basics of solar and provide access to experts for Q&A. Attendees will be able to sign up for a free solar evaluation of their home after the presentation. As a reader of this blog, you'll also receive $1000 off the current best promotion featured by SEM should you decide to proceed with purchasing a system through this link.

Hors d'oeuvres from Green Planet Catering will be served and space is limited, so be sure to RSVP.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Chatham County October Home Sales Up 59% Over Last Year

Home sales in Chatham County (where Briar Chapel is located) improved 59.2 percent in October compared to the year prior, according to the monthly market activity report released by Triangle MLS this week.

It was also reported that the county’s median sales price is up 14.3 percent to $323,500, while the average days on market is down 43.9 percent to 78 days compared to the year prior.

For other results, download a copy of the full October TMLS report.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Costco Selects More Convenient Location for Briar Chapel Residents

Triangle Business Journal has reported that Costco is planning to open a store in Apex. If this is true, then Briar Chapel residents will no longer have to drive 45 minutes to the Durham location in order to shop at the popular members-only warehouse discounter.

 According to the TBJ article, the Apex planning board recently recommended approval of a $50 million retail development project called Nichols Plaza on 35 acres fronting U.S. 64 at the intersection with Laura Duncan Road. A transportation engineer’s meeting notes shows that Costco will be the anchor tenant at Nichols Plaza with a 149,500-square-foot retail warehouse building and gas station, plus nine outparcels for other future retail and service businesses.

If all goes as planned, one source said construction was expected to begin in late-2014.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

University Mall Transformation Continues w/ Silverspot Cinema to Open in 2015

University Mall, a 366,000 sqft regional shopping center located a short drive up 15-501 from Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill, is in the process of redevelopment and residents are taking notice. Anchored by award-winning gourmet retailer Southern Season, the mall is home to forty unique shops and restaurants.

In addition to several new tenants, including TrySports, Fine Feathers and Peacock Alley, mall officials just announced that Silverspot Cinema will be opening a 52,500 sqft premium movie theater complex in the current Dillard's location in early-2015.


Silverspot Cinema will debut independent and foreign films, as well as blockbusters and 3D films. Additionally, they will offer alternative content such as live broadcasts of international opera, ballet and theater performances, which will differentiate the theater from the traditional multiplex movie offerings in the area.

Silverspot will offer a stylish design and atmosphere complete with casual dining and a lounge area. The theaters will be equipped with state-of-the-art sound and projection technology, reserved stadium seating, and extra-large hand-stitched leather seats custom-made for Silverspot. Be sure to check out their website for photos and sample of offerings.
 
 
 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

6th Annual Pepper Festival in Briar Chapel next Sunday!

Final preparations are underway for the 6th Annual Pepper Festival, which is taking place next Sunday (October 6th) from 3-7pm at Briar Chapel's Boulder Park.

Although the festival had very humble beginnings, it is quickly becoming North Carolina's premiere local food festival of the season. Featuring over 23 chefs, 11 local breweries, 3 bands (Big Fat Gap, Loamlands, and Steph Stewart & the Boyfriends), and more, this event aims to spread the superfood power of the plentiful peppers of the Piedmont. There will also be lots of activities for the kids.

Here is a sampling of the vendors who will be attending:
Tickets are $30 or $35 at the entrance, which includes all-access to food and entertainment. Kids under 12 get in free. Beverages are cash bar. You can purchase tickets online directly from the Abundance Foundation, or at the gate.

If you're a foodie, music and beer/wine lover, or just love all-things-pepper, I hope you'll join me for this family-friendly event next Sunday!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Briar Chapel Craft Fair October 19th

Briar Chapel will be hosting a Craft Fair on October 19th from 10am-1pm.

Residents and non-residents are invited to share their artwork, regardless of media. I wouldn't be surprised if you saw some folks there from the photography and/or knitting groups that meet on a regular basis here in Briar Chapel.

The Craft Fair will be advertised in the Chatham Chatlist, Daily Tar Heel, News & Observer, and Craigslist, along with flyers spread throughout Chapel Hill and Chatham County and on Briar Chapel’s Facebook page. Tents are available for rent, and will be set up in the Briar Chapel parking lot.

If you wish to be a participant, please contact Brittany Godwin.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Briar Chapel's 4-Legged Residents Enjoy Annual "Pups in the Pool" Event

Once the pool season comes to a close each year, it's a tradition for Briar Chapel residents to bring their 4-legged family members for a swim in the saltwater pools. Here are a few photos from this year's event...
 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Race Results from 7th Annual Swim For Smiles Triathlon in Briar Chapel

This morning, Briar Chapel hosted the 7th Annual "Swim For Smiles" youth triathlon. The event drew over 500 participants (50 of which are current residents of the community).  After the conclusion of the race, attendees enjoyed a celebration at Briar Commons, which included stilt walkers, a climbing wall, face painting, inflatables, food trucks, ice cream and more! A link to the results of the race is below. 

 
Race results are available here.
 
 
For more info on this event, please read our previous post.
 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

2013 Parade of Homes Features Nine Briar Chapel Green-Certified Homes

Now in its 30th year, the 2013 Parade of Homes in Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties will be held over three weekends in October: October 5-6, 11-13, and 18-20, 2013 from Noon-5pm each day.

This is a free, self-guided tour showcasing the latest designs and technology trends being used today. Of the 55 homes on Parade this year, Briar Chapel has the following 9 entries:

  • Lot 79 (658 Bennett Mountain Trace) by Homes By Dickerson - $569,900
  • Lot 12 (293 Dark Forest Drive) by Drees Homes - $450,000
  • Lot 723 (23 Sagebrush Road) by ForeverHome - $379,922
  • Lot 481 (2104 Briar Chapel Pkwy) by Homes By Dickerson - $359,900
  • Lot 753 (23 Heatherwood Drive) by M/I Homes - $332,704
  • Lot 466 (39 Kimbolton Place) by Saussy Burbank - $331,205
  • Lot 641 (2381 Briar Chapel Pkwy) by Garman Homes - $315,000
  • Lot 607 (73 Pokeberry Bend Drive) by Saussy Burbank - $289,900
  • Lot 168 (273 Tobacco Farm Way) by Saussy Burbank - $282,900

This exciting event enables builders to enjoy some friendly competition, as each home on the Parade is judged by a panel of industry representatives from other markets in our region. These judges examine the design, quality, and creativity that each entry demonstrates, resulting in a numerical grade for each house. Awards are given to homes that achieve the highest scores in each price category.

Parade Homes are highly sought-after showcase homes, due to the "extras" builders include in them in an attempt to win gold. Likewise, winning Parade homes tend to attract extra attention when it comes time for resale.

If you would like to preview these homes before any of them are sold prior to the Parade, please contact Jen Winkler at 919-593-3662. She will be more than happy to point out the various green features in these homes, as well as show you the amenities that residents enjoy throughout Briar Chapel.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Briar Chapel Community Intranet Site

There is a little-known resource that is packed with great information about Briar Chapel, which prospective buyers will want to check out to help with their purchase decision. While some of the areas of the site are restricted to current residents, much of the content is available to the public.

Whether you want to read about community news, browse past resident newsletters to learn about the types of events being offered, or access HOA documents such as covenants, bylaws, landscape guidelines, etc., we encourage you to visit Briar Chapel's community intranet site: www.BriarChapelLife.com.


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Just Listed: 266 N. Serenity Hill Circle


OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY FROM 2-4PM!

If you or someone you know is looking for an oversized backyard with wooded views in Briar Chapel, then you'll want to be sure to check out Chanticleer's newest listing at 266 N. Serenity Hill Circle. 

Built by David Weekley Homes, the "Geovanni" is a green-certified home with classic, Craftsman-style features. Similar to the "Jackson" plan that Homes By Dickerson builds, this floor plan features a bedroom on the main level, which can be used as a study or guest suite, and 3 additional bedrooms upstairs - plus a bonus room.

Here are just some of the highlights:
  • EnergyStar-certified home w/ 3-year guarantee on heating and cooling costs
  • Built by David Weekley Homes in 2012
  • 4 Beds & 3 Baths + Bonus
  • 2402 sqft two-level detached home
  • Large, fenced back yard
  • 2-car, front-load garage
  • Storage lockers in mudroom
  • Wood floors on main level
  • Granite counters & tile backsplash in kitchen
  • Competitively priced at $329,990

To schedule a showing of this home, please contact Jennifer Winkler with Chanticleer Properties at 919-593-3662.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Homes By Dickerson Named 2013 NGBS Green Partner in Excellence

Homes By Dickerson, one of the builders in Briar Chapel, has been recognized as a 2013 Green Partner in Excellence by NGBS for its leadership, innovation and excellence in building high-performance green homes.

Michelle Desiderio, Vice President of Innovation Services at Home Innovation Research Labs, will be in town on August 1st to recognize the builder along with four other local organizations: Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, Southern Energy Management, Green Home Builders of the Triangle and Habitat for Humanity of Durham. 

Friday, July 12, 2013

Chapel Hill Makes List of Best N.C. Towns for Young Families

Chapel Hill, where Briar Chapel is located, was recently ranked as one of the best places to raise a young family in North Carolina.

The analysis, conducted by Mike Anderson and published on NerdWallet, a personal finance website, considered five factors:
  • Quality of public schools
  • Median home values
  • Ongoing cost of home ownership
  • Average income
  • Economic growth
Here is what Mike had to say...

"Chapel Hill is a quintessential university town. It is home to 30,000 students, and benefits from all the cultural facets of college life: concert venues, plenty of fine-dining options and great shopping destinations are scattered around the city. While life may center around the university, jobs here are nevertheless diverse..."

When considering Chapel Hill's close proximity to the Research Triangle Park and other parts of the Triangle, with its excellent job market and ample entertainment opportunities, it's easy to see why so many families (and retirees!) are now calling this town home.

Come see for yourself what a great area we live in!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

"Swim For Smiles" Youth Triathlon Coming To Briar Chapel

It has finally been announced that Briar Chapel will host the 2013 Swim for Smiles Youth Triathlon on September 8th!

Swim for Smiles is the country's second largest children's triathlon, with proceeds benefitting the nearby North Carolina Children's Hospital. This annual event has drawn as many as 850 participants in the past. As such, the event's planners are excited to partner with Briar Chapel, which boasts ample open space needed for the competition's running and biking portions, as well as a Junior-Olympic saltwater pool to accommodate the swim races. 

Open to participants ages 5-18, Swim for Smiles is a USA-Triathlon sanctioned event that includes both a short and long course. To register for the event, go here. There are also a number of other ways you can help support this worthwhile event.

To learn more about Swim for Smiles, check out this video documentary:

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Home Improvement: LED Lighting

In the past, we have highlighted some of the improvements we have made to our high-performance home in Briar Chapel, such as installing a hot water reciculator and solar power system.

Most recently, we have started to replace some of our incandescent lightbulbs with LED lighting. For example, we swapped out some of our 60W bulbs with Cree's new 9.5W dimmable LED light bulbs, which you can pickup at Home Depot for around $10-13. We chose the 2700K version, which offers a warm (soft) white color.

Unlike CFLs, these LED bulbs look and light very similarly to the incandescent bulbs we've all grown up with. They contain no mercury, and light up instantaneously. They are backed by a 10-year warranty, and are designed to deliver up to 25,000 hours of light for your home (about 22.8 years according to the specs). Best of all, they use at least 84% less energy than incandescent bulbs, which translates to $1.14 per year based on 3 hrs of use per day.

Now, we know some of you are wondering why we would spend $10-13 on a single lightbulb, so consider this... a regular incandescent bulb costs $1 and uses $7 of electricity a year if used three hours a day. A Cree bulb may cost $10, but it uses 10% of the electricity, costing $1 a year. And while an old-school bulb will burn out in less than two years at that rate, LED bulbs will keep working for more than 20 years. Besides, Cree is based right here in the Triangle, so it feels good to be supporting our local community while reducing our energy needs.

Our only complaints about these new bulbs is that they emit a soft "buzzing" sound when on, and they will not dim as low as our incandescents used to (from white to yellow light). Otherwise, for these two Watt-watchers, the LED bulbs make a lot of sense now that the prices have come down tremendously.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Briar Chapel Home Sales Up 45 Percent

Sales in Briar Chapel surged 45 percent YTD over the same period last year. This is very much in line with Triangle home sales, which are up 41 percent in April as buyers continue to snatch up properties from an ever-shrinking inventory of homes on the market.

Increasing demand and dwindling supply is creating plenty of frustrated buyers, as the most sought-after homes sell quickly – typically after receiving multiple offers. More specifically, the average time on market to sell across the Triangle is down 14% to 107 days.

In fact, the Triangle now only has a 3-month supply of homes on the market at the current pace of sales. This is down from an 9- to 10-month supply a year ago.

Low inventory levels, and the intense competition for the homes that are selling, is helping to boost home prices 4.5 percent in the Durham-Chapel Hill market in March compared with the same period a year ago, according to CoreLogic. In addition, 70 percent of the homes that sold in April were at or above their list price, up from 58 percent in January, according to MLS.

To learn more about these latest statistics, read the recent article by News & Observer.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Get $1000 Towards Solar Power System from Southern Energy Management

As many of you already know, we recently invested in a 4.8kW solar photovoltaic system on our home in Briar Chapel. So far, we have been extremely pleased with the results, and wanted to share our experience with you in the hopes you might also consider generating your own clean energy.


Our system consists of 20 Bosch Aleo Mono 240 panels, a Power-One PVI-4.2 Inverter, and eGauge home energy monitor. It is mounted on one side of the roof above our garage (pictured above). We were able to take advantage of State and Federal tax credits to offset 65% of the total cost of the system. In addition, we also received a $3980 rebate as members of Progress Energy's Sunsense Program.

In addition to the obvious feel-good aspects of generating our own energy, the system has provided several benefits so far:
  • Reduced our monthly energy costs - our last power bill was only $16 compared to $95 last year.
  • Reduced our HERS rating from 78 to 51.
  • Improved the value of our home.
  • Improved the return on money we had sitting in the bank from virtually nothing to 6-7%.
We chose to work with Southern Energy Management (SEM), a talented team of folks who handled the entire project from start-to-finish. This was the same company that did our original home energy analysis when we built our home.

If you'd like to learn more about how SEM can help you save money on your utilities and become more energy independent, complete this form to schedule a free consultation. In addition to determining whether it makes sense for you to invest in solar, they'll provide you with an estimate to purchase and install a similar system. As a reader of this blog, you'll also receive $1000 off the current best promotion featured by SEM should you decide to proceed with purchasing a system.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Highlights from Triangle Green Home Tour in Briar Chapel

In case you didn't get a chance to attend the recent Triangle Green Home Tour, we thought it might be helpful to highlight some of the innovative, high-performance features that were on display in the "Madison" entry by Homes By Dickerson in Briar Chapel:
  • Nest Learning Thermostat: 89% of programmable thermostats waste energy - about $173 a year, on average - because most people don't bother to program them. The Nest, on the other hand, learns what temperatures you like and builds a schedule automatically. The device can also sense when you're away from home, and turns itself down when you're gone. You can even connect to it from a smartphone. By programming iteself, the Nest can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bills. See a demo of how the device works.

  • Solar-Ready Option: Homes By Dickerson now offers its customers the option to add a solar power system during the construction of their home. In the event a homeowner is not quite ready to invest in renewable energy, they offer the option to make the home "solar ready" by installing a dedicated electrical circuit and conduit for future solar panels.

  • Tankless Water Heater: natural-gas, tankless water heaters provide an endless supply of hot water. Unlike traditional tank-style water heaters that heat and reheat water all day long, even when you're sleeping or away from home, tankless units save money on your energy bill by heating water only when needed. Since they are a fraction of the size of their larger predecessors, they also save valuable space. With a life expectancy of up to 20 years, they last twice as long as traditional water heaters. They also provide homeowners peace of mind by eliminating the concern of flooding due to a ruptured tank.

  • Advanced Framing: there was a great demo in the garage that showed how 2x6 exterior walls and advanced framing techniques allow for additional formaldehyde-free insulation to be installed, and how these work in tandem with radiant barrier roof sheathing and ZIP System air and moisture infiltration barrier to improve efficiency.

  • Sealed & Conditioned Crawl Space: the builder installed a see-thru floor to demonstrate the use of a sealed and conditioned crawl space, which provides a controlled environment for more efficient operation of cooling and heating systems in addition to several other benefits.

  • Independent Testing & Certification: a third-party (Southern Energy Management) conducted performance testing in order award Energy Star and NAHB green certifications.

This green-certified home is currently listed for sale at $494,900. If you would like to schedule a showing, please contact Peter Winkler at 919-360-1285 or Jennifer Winkler at 919-593-3662.


View the Tour
 

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Briar Chapel Open House Weekend

There are over 40 homes open for viewing in Briar Chapel this weekend (April 27-28). To find these homes, you can either stop by the information center and pickup a copy of the map below, or follow the directional signs throughout the neighborhood. If you do come out, be sure to see the "Madison" at 688 Bennett Mountain Trace (Lot 77) and then head over to 371 Tobacco Farm Way and say hello!

 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Northwood High School Ranked 6th in NC

Congratulations to Northwood High School, which was recently ranked the 6th best high school within North Carolina by US News & World Report

Briar Chapel is located in the Chatham County School district. Residents currently attend Perry Harrison Elementary, Margaret Pollard Middle, and Northwood High Schools. Woods Charter School is another popular option with residents, which is located on-site and ranked in the Top 50 Best Public High Schools in the United States.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Briar Chapel Residents Enjoy Award-Winning Cuisine Nearby

The residents of Briar Chapel certainly get to enjoy their fair share of great, award-winning cuisine around the Triangle area.

In January, Durham and its food scene were catapulted into the national spotlight when Southern Living magazine named it the South's Tastiest Town. Durham has more than seven hundred restaurants, which are all within a 15-45 minute drive from Briar Chapel. Of these, 52 independently-owned restaurants have been recognized on a regional or national level.

Back in November, Fearrington House Executive Chef Colin Bedford was acclaimed both regionally and nationally for his sophisticated Southern cuisine, and named Grand Chef by Relais & Châteaux. In his four years as executive chef, Bedford has maintained the Fearrington House Restaurant’s AAA Five Diamond award and also helped Fearrington earn acclaim that includes being ranked one of the top hotel food destinations in the world by Condé Nast Traveler in 2012. Bedford is one of only 21 Grand Chefs in the United States. Fearrington House is about a mile from the entrance to Briar Chapel.


Most recently, Chapel Hill's Lantern Restaurant was nominated for the 2013 James Beard award in the Outstanding Restaurant category, and is a semifinalist for this prestigious award. Chef/owner Andrea Reusing was named Best Chef in the Southeast in 2011. Lantern is located about eight miles from Briar Chapel.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

8th Annual Triangle Green Home Tour April 13-14 & 20-21


The 8th Annual Triangle Green Home Tour starts today! This free, self-guided event will feature over 30 entries, and will be held on April 13-14 and 20-21, 2013 from Noon to 5pm.

As always, 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 for Humanity and entry-level homes to custom luxury entries.

This year, Briar Chapel will have seven homes on the tour, which are listed below. However, it is important to remember that ALL homes in Briar Chapel are required to be green-certified upon completion. So, if there is a particular home for sale that you like that's not on the tour, Jennifer Winkler would be happy to arrange a private showing for you. Give her a call at 919-593-3662.

  • 688 Bennett Mountain Trace (Homes By Dickerson)
  • 502 Bennett Mountain Trace (Forever Home)
  • 23 Sagebrush Trail (Forever Home)
  • 102 Owen Towne Road (Saussy-Burbank)
  • 69 Summersweet Lane (Saussy-Burbank)
  • 22 Tobacco Farm Way (Saussy-Burbank)
  • 45 Serenity Hill Circle (M/I Homes)
To learn more about the tour, visit www.TriangleGreenHomeTour.com. Otherwise, Peter Winkler has some extra tour guides if you need one - just stop by his office at 371 Tobacco Farm Way in Briar Chapel. You can also view a virtual list of homes on the tour by downloading the iPhone or Android app.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Woods Charter School Ranked in Top 50 Public High Schools

Woods Charter School, one of the schools here in Briar Chapel, made the list of Top 50 Public High Schools in the U.S.

This public, charter school offers a challenging preparation for attendance at university, with an emphasis on character development. The school has a long history of strong student performance as measured by state testing, AP pass rates, and SAT and ACT scores. The school is often recognized for its small class sizes, close student-teacher relationships, and a caring school community.

Awards, Rankings, and Alumni:
  • Rated among the Top 200 High Schools by the Washington Post
  • 52% of faculty have advanced degrees
  • North Carolina Honor School of Excellence
  • 90% of seniors enrolled in AP courses

Monday, April 1, 2013

Homes By Dickerson Inventory Homes

In case you don't have time to build a home from scratch, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to find a home in Briar Chapel. You may consider a resale, such as the one we posted recently, or one of the new inventory homes being built by a member of the builder team.

Since Homes By Dickerson was just selected as the "Builder of the Month" by Newland (the developer of Briar Chapel), we thought it was appropriate to highlight a list of their inventory homes. This is in addition to the 15 pre-sale homes they're in the process of building to customer’s specifications.

Move-in Ready!

  • Millhaven: 1856 Briar Chapel Pkwy, Lot 473
    3br, master down, 2.5ba, 2004sf, $305,000 (MLS#1858126)
  • Jackson II: 1878 Briar Chapel Pkwy, Lot 475
    4br, master up, 3ba, 2285sf, $310,000 (MLS#1858128)

Ready in April

  • Finley: 1862 Briar Chapel Pkwy, Lot 474
    3br, master up, 2.5ba, 2000sf, unfinished 3rd, $304,900 (MLS#1863917)
  • Oberlin Ranch: 463 N. Serenity Hill Cir, Lot 617
    3br, master down, 2ba, 2000sf, $310,800 (MLS#1866886)
  • Finley: 444 Tobacco Farm Way, Lot 621
    3br, master up, 2.5ba, 2000sf, unfinished 3rd, $311,950 (MLS#1867217)
  • Madison: 688 Bennett Mountain Trace, Lot 77
    4br, master down, 4ba, 3201sf, $494,900 (MLS#1861951)
    Green Home Tour Entry

Ready in May

  • St. James: 699 Bennett Mountain Trace, Lot 92
    5br, master down, 4.5ba, 3559sf, $533,900 (MLS#1866914)

Ready in June/July

  • Oberlin Ranch: 2154 Briar Chapel Pkwy, Lot 483
    3br, master down, 2ba, 2000sf, $315,250 (MLS#1875933)
  • Montclair: 335 Dark Forest Dr, Lot 15
    4br, master down, 3.5ba, 2900sf, $422,135 (MLS#1867118)
  • Oakmont: 649 Bennett Mountain Trace, Lot 91
    4br, master down, 3.5ba, 3511sf, $534,900 (MLS#1873524)

If you would like to schedule a showing of any of these homes, or would like more information on other available homes in Briar Chapel, please call Jennifer Winkler at 919-593-3662.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Just Listed: 60 Hill Creek Blvd

If you or someone you know is looking to get into Briar Chapel for under $225K, then you'll want to be sure to check out Jen's new listing at 60 Hill Creek Blvd.

Whether you prefer to enjoy the great views from the wrap-around front porch, or the solitude of the fenced-in back yard from the large screened porch, this home has both! Here are just some of the highlights:
  • Green-Certified Craftsman Cottage
  • Built by Saussy-Burbank in 2011
  • 3 Beds & 2.5 Baths
  • 1500 sqft two-level detached home
  • Fenced back yard w/ storage shed
  • Wrap-around front porch
  • Screened-in back porch
  • Fireplace w/ built-ins on each side
  • Hardwoods on main level
  • Granite & subway tile in kitchen
  • Priced for quick sale at $222,900
This home won't last long! So, if you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them get in touch with Jennifer Winkler ASAP at 919-593-3662.

Monday, March 4, 2013

5th Annual Briar Chapel 5K & Earth Day Celebration on April 20th

I hope you will join us for the 5th Annual Briar Chapel 5K & Earth Day Celebration on April 20th from 9:30am to 1pm!

The 5K race and kids fun run will begin at 9:30am near the new Boulder Park and wind through Briar Chapel's roads and parks. A live DJ will be on-hand to entertain spectators, and runners can enjoy post-race massages, as well as refreshments from local vendors.

Advanced registration is $20 and includes a locally-made organic t-shirt and goodie bag. The chip-timed course is a USATF-certified course (download map). Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 male and top 3 female finishers, as well as age group winners. If interested, you can register here.

After the race, Briar Chapel will be hosting an Earth Day Celebration from 11-1pm where you can enjoy beer from Carolina Brewery and refuel with various food truck offerings from Parlez Vous Crêpes, Great American Meltdown, and The Parlour! Other activities include live music from Vintage Hwy, cornhole, bocci, horseshoes, and other games. Attendees can also plant seedlings to take home and start a garden, take part in a building activity with NC Planetarium, decorate a flower pot with the Scrap Exchange, and more! The post-race party is free and open to the public.


Proceeds from these two events benefit the Abundance Foundation, whose purpose is to increase public awareness of sustainable energy usage and local food consumption.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Upcoming Events Near Briar Chapel

Looking for something fun to do near Briar Chapel during the month of February? Here are a few options within a short 15 minute drive...
  • Attend TEDxUNC, the Chapel Hill version of the original TEDx conference that began 26 years ago, which will be held this Saturday (9th) from 9am to 12:30pm in Memorial Hall on UNC's campus. Featured speakers will include Andrea Reusing (chef-owner of Lantern and James Beard Award nominee) and fashion designer Alexander Julian. Visit www.tedxunc.com for ticket info.

  • Sample local craft beers while tasting cheese, charcuterie and more at Southern Season's Beer Extravaganza this Friday from 5-8pm. Visit www.southernseason.com for more info. 

  • Browse the diverse artwork for sale at the annual Fearrington Folk Art Show on Saturday & Sunday, February 16-17 from 10am-5pm. Visit www.fearrington.com for more info.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Boulder Park Coming to Briar Chapel

Briar Chapel will be unveiling a new park in April, it's largest one to date!

Boulder Park, named after the massive boulders that were found while grading the site of this picturesque two acre landscape, will include a number of new amenities for residents to enjoy. These include a fire pit, pergola, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, chess/checkers tables, vineyard and community garden.

Here is a rendering of what the park may look like once complete...


If you are interested in building a home adjacent to Boulder Park, please contact Jen Winkler at 919-593-3662.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Nest Learning Thermostats Gaining Popularity in Briar Chapel

A growing number of Briar Chapel homeowners and builders are installing the Nest Learning Thermostat in their high-perforamance homes to improve efficiency and comfort.

This nifty little device was designed by Tony Fadell, the guy who designed Apple's iPod. In addition to its sleek looks, the Nest is the world’s first smart thermostat that can adapt to your lifestyle. While ordinary thermostats require you to program them to turn on and off at certain times and temperatures (which most people never do), the Nest features sensors and algorithms that automatically adjust to the way you live.

For example, it can sense whether you're home or not, and then build a model of temperatures that feel comfortable to you based on adjustments you make to the unit. In short, it uses all this information to create a temperature schedule that’s personalized to your lifestyle - one that keeps you comfortable while saving energy.

Another great feature of the Nest is its connectivity to the Internet. This allows you to control it with an iPhone, or download updated software as it becomes available.

Check out this video to see the unit in action...