Briar Chapel Green Homes Featured in 2011 Parade of Homes

Now in its 28th year, the 2011 Parade of Homes showcases 42 new homes in our area and provides the chance for visitors to see the latest designs and technology trends. This free, self-guided tour is on October 1-2, 7-9, 14-16 from Noon to 5pm.

This year, Briar Chapel has six entries in the Parade:

1222 Great Ridge Parkway (David Weekley): 2604 sqft / $306,500
1725 Briar Chapel Parkway (McNeill-Barbank): 2407 sqft / $314,010

314 Tobacco Farm Road (McNeill-Burbank): 2199 sqft / $TBD

371 Tobacco Farm Road (Homes by Dickerson): 2004 sqft / $350,000

347 Dark Forest Drive (Homes by Dickerson): 2593 sqft / $399,900

75 Bennett Mountain Trace (Morningstar): 2994 sqft / $529,000 - Details

Builders are putting a wide range of new technology on display this year, from the latest insulation applications to advanced home automation systems. This, of course, is in addition to the other green-building features that all builders must adhere to in Briar Chapel.

This year's event also 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.

If you would like a guided tour of these homes, please contact Peter Winkler. I will be more than happy to point out the various green features that are available in these homes, as well as show you the amenities that residents enjoy throughout Briar Chapel.

Homes By Dickerson Releases Six New Floor Plans for Briar Chapel

Homes By Dickerson is now pre-selling six brand new floorplans in Briar Chapel - the Millhaven, the Maddingly, the Castlebrooke, the Jackson, the Riverton and the Kingspark. These plans make up their Village Collection and were designed for lots in the newest section of Briar Chapel (Phase V), including some excellent ones directly across from a large park that will anchor this section of the development.

I'm not sure about you, but many of my buyers have a difficult time visualizing what a home will look like when it is complete. To help out, Homes By Dickerson is now utilizing an online tool from Rendering House that allows you to explore the various combinations of floor plans, elevations, and color schemes they offer. The website even allows you to layout furniture and select an available homesite in Briar Chapel!

I encourage you to take the Village Collection Home Designer for a test drive. Once you have customized a home that you are interested in, scan the QR code in the upper-right portion of the screen to save your selections. If you don't have a smartphone, simply click the "Preview Brochure" tab to save the brochure. After doing so, forward a copy of your custom brochure to me, so that we can schedule a meeting with the builder and reserve your lot.

If you have any trouble using the home designer, or have any questions about the newest section of Briar Chapel, please don't hesitate to contact me.

3rd Annual 6BC Endurance Race at Briar Chapel - Save the Date

The third annual 6BC Endurance Race will be held on Saturday, November 12th, starting at 10 a.m. in Briar Chapel.

Hosted by the Triangle Off Road Cyclists (TORC), the event will feature six hours of competitive biking through groves of pines and oaks, past Pokeberry Creek, and up (and down!) the rugged terrain of Bennett Mountain.

I will post more details as they become available, including a map of the race course and link to online registration. In the mean time, check out photos from last year's event on TORC's website.

Briar Chapel Residents Enjoy Close Proximity to Forbes' #1 Job Market

In case you haven't heard the news yet, Raleigh recently topped Forbes' 13th annual list of the "Best Places for Business and Careers." Forbes’ rankings evaluate 200 metro areas, factoring in job growth (past and projected), costs (business and living), income growth, projected economic growth, and educational attainment.

Given Briar Chapel's close proximity to Raleigh, Cary and Durham, the Triangle's hot job market is driving many of the homes sales in the development. Likewise, home sales are getting a strong boost from three elite schools in the surrounding area: UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Heels!), Duke University and NC State.

If you are hoping to tap into the Triangle's strong job market and wish to relocate to the area, I strongly encourage you to check out all that Briar Chapel has to offer. Contact me to setup a private tour. On the same token, if there is a particular employer you are interested in, I would be happy to help you calculate the distance from door-to-door and estimate your driving time.

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Tankless Water Heaters Gaining in Popularity

Even though tankless water heaters have been in use in Europe and Asia for over 20 years, they are just starting to gain wider acceptance and use here in the U.S. This is especially true in Briar Chapel now that some builders are offering them standard.

Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than traditional units because they heat water as it is used, rather than heating and re-heating water within a storage tank. They are gaining in popularity with homeowners for a number of reasons, including:

• Endless Hot Water: tankless systems produce hot water on demand, so homeowners are no longer limited to the amount a storage tank can hold. This is especially useful for large families or those who have a soaking tub, but also makes sense .
• Lower Energy Bills: tankless systems are typically 15-35% more energy efficient than traditional systems, depending on whether they are gas or electric and how much water they have to heat. This can translate into lower costs for the homeowner - provided you do not change your water usage habits!
• Longer Lifespan: tankless units typically last twice as long as traditional systems.
• Space Savings: compared to traditional systems, which consume about 16 sqft of valuable floor space, tankless systems are roughly the size of a carry-on suitcase and attached to the wall.

What size unit should I get?

The answer largely depends on the size of the home and the family's usage habits. A unit that heats 4-5 gallons per minute (GPM) is suitable for a one bedroom home and can usually handle a shower plus one appliance operating at the same time. For homes with two or more bathrooms, a unit with 7-10 GPM is often recommended. Your builder or qualified installer is the best person to help you choose the solution that will meet your specific needs.

How much do tankless systems cost?

Prices have come down over the past few years, as more homeowners are adopting tankless heating solutions. You should expect to spend anywhere from $700-2,000, depending on the model you choose (higher flow rate = higher cost). Installation and venting is extra. I'm not going to debate whether this investment is worth it here. Instead, I'm going to refer you to This Old House - they've done a great job summing up the short- vs. long-term costs. Another great resource is EnergyStar.gov.

Keep in mind that a $300 tax credit is available for qualifying systems placed into service between Jan 1-Dec 31, 2011. New construction and rentals do not qualify, however.

Right now, I know of at least one builder in Briar Chapel who is offering Rinnai tankless water heaters standard in their homes (David Weekley Homes). I can also show you a townhome that has a tankless system installed, and is available for resale.

Please contact me to schedule a showing of these homes in Briar Chapel, or to discuss the possibility of building a home with a tankless system.

Save the Date: 4th Annual Pepper Festival Coming to Briar Chapel in October

The 4th Annual Pepper Festival will be held at Briar Chapel's Community Park on October 2nd, 2011 from 4-7pm.

This event is being presented by the Abundance Foundation and Piedmont Biofarm, and is a chance for you to celebrate our local farmers while enjoying local food, beer, wine & musicians - all with a spicy twist!

More details to come... in the mean time, check out the fantastic line up from last year's festival.

Attic Temps in the mid-80s during June? It's possible.

I recently had a chance to stop by the new model home for Homes by Dickerson in Briar Chapel, and was very impressed with the quality of construction and green features.

This particular home has the optional foam insulation upgrade, which tends to be quieter and 3-4 times more efficient than conventional insulation. Combined with the ZIP System sheathing and foil-backed plywood, the spray foam helped the builder achieve attic temperatures in the mid-80s compared to 100+ degrees during the hot summer months. This, along with the benefits of a sealed crawl space, translates into significant energy savings for the homeowner.

This "Jacob A" model has a wonderful floor plan that is great for entertaining. Just shy of 2500 sqft, this 3 bedrooms home starts at a base price of $369,900. Pictures say a thousand words, so I encourage you to check out the virtual tour.

Homes by Dickerson is a relatively small company that is delivering big results. Although they have only been part of the Briar Chapel builder team since the early part of 2010, they have already sold a number of homes in the development - including their original model. Here is a sample of their current inventory of single family homes for sale, which typically range in price from $350,000-450,000:

• 156 Bennett Ridge (Jacob) - $393,750
• 62 Dark Forest (Franklin) - $397,000
• 38 Bennett Ridge (Aberdeen) - $429,991
• 70 Dark Forest (Bristol) - $440,995
• 122 Bennett Ridge (Aberdeen) - $459,990

If you think any of the above plans might suit your needs, please contact me for a private tour of the community. I would also be happy to introduce you to the builder and discuss available home sites, including several that have recently been released that back up to some incredible green space. We can also take a look at some of their other plans, such as the Carmichael and Montclair, or consider modifications to better suit your needs.

Of course, I would be delighted to represent you as a buyer should you decide to buy or build in Briar Chapel. Remember... it doesn't cost you anything extra to have someone look out for your best interests!

For Sale: 181 Tobacco Farm Way

Built by McNeill-Burbank Homes in 2009, this end-unit is currently the only two-story executive townhome available in Briar Chapel. It is in excellent condition and includes ~2001 heated sqft, 3 bedrooms (with master on main level), 2 1/2 baths, and 2-car garage. It is currently being offered at $315,000.

Staged like a model, you will quickly see how this Arts & Crafts-style townhome lives like a detached home. The main level features cypress hardwood floors, an inviting front porch and foyer with 9-foot ceilings, tons of natural light, and a fireplace with subway tile surround flanked by windows and built-ins. The gourmet kitchen has a stainless steel dual-fuel stove, triple door cabinets, French-door refrigerator, and granite countertops.

A separate owner's entry with halltree near the rear of the home leads to a work center and the master bedroom, which features a spa-like bath with double-sink vanity, soaking tub and separate walk-in shower. You will also find the laundry on the main level. A split stairwell leads upstairs, where you will find a loft that leads to two additional bedrooms and one full bath.

When the weather is nice, the screened porch is the perfect place to relax or watch the rest of the family enjoy the fenced-in rear yard. When you feel like venturing out, the Briar Club is just across the street, which includes two salt-water pools, waterslides, splash pad, playground, and state-of-the-art fitness center.

To view a slideshow of this home, please click here. Better yet, why not schedule a private tour of this beautiful home? To do so, please contact Peter Winkler. I will be more than happy to point out its various green features, as well as show you the amenities that residents enjoy throughout Briar Chapel.

This post was made with permission of the listing agent.

Triangle Green Home Tour Starts Saturday

The 6th Annual Triangle Green Home Tour starts this weekend! This free, self-guided event will feature 28 entries, and will be held on May 14-15 and May 21-22, 2011.

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 six 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. So, if there is a particular home for sale that you like that's not on the tour, I would be happy to arrange a private showing for you.

11 Tabardry Mill Port (McNeill-Burbank)
207 Tobacco Farm Way (McNeill-Burbank)
1674 Great Ridge Parkway (McNeill-Burbank)
26 Serenity Hill Circle (M/I Homes)
1222 Great Ridge Parkway (David Weekley Homes)
50 Windy Knoll (Morningstar Homes)

To learn more about the tour, visit the HBA-DOC website. Otherwise, I have some extra tour guides if you need one - just let me know.

Briar Chapel's Community Garden Flourishing

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Briar Chapel has added yet another amenity to the community for residents to enjoy... the Briar Patch community garden!

Members of the garden club have been busy maintaining this productive garden, and harvesting the fruits of their labor. The Spring crop included bok choy, spinach, various types of lettuce, radishes, chives and more. There are also two beds of beautiful flowers, which you'll see in the photo below that I took earlier today.

If you are interested in helping out with planting a Summer crop, we'll need to start looking for a home for you to purchase right away. Contact me today to schedule a personal tour, which will include the Briar Patch if you're interested.

Briar Chapel Builder Participating in "Parade of Playhomes" Fundraiser

McNeill-Burbank, one of the quality homebuilders in Briar Chapel, is building a playhome for the 19th annual Parade of Playhomes fundraiser taking place between April 1-May 6 at the American Tobacco District Campus in downtown Durham.

The "Sunshine Cottage" by McNeill-Burbank.

A total of four playhomes will be built for the fundraiser - three by homebuilders and a fourth by students at Southern High School in Durham. Three of the playhomes will be raffled off at 6pm on May 6 (you do not need to be present to win), and the remaining playhome will be sold via an online auction.

To see photos of the other entries and purchase raffle tickets, visit www.ParadeofPlayhomes.org. Tickets are only $3 each or 2 for $5.

All proceeds from this event will be donated to organizations that help prevent child abuse through family support programs and parent education. In the past 18 years, this event has raised over $100,000 to support child abuse prevention programs in our area.

If you would like a tour of the Sunshine Cottage above, or any of the other available homes in Briar Chapel, please contact me to schedule your visit.

Briar Chapel to Host Earth Day Celebration on April 16th

Briar Chapel will be hosting a series of events on April 16th to celebrate Earth Day. Come help me celebrate one of our favorite days of the year!

• 3rd Annual Briar Chapel 5K: starting at 9am, you can join me in running (or walking!) the scenic, USATF-certified course throughout Briar Chapel. Pre-registrants will receive a locally-made organic t-shirt by TS Designs. Following the race, there will be an awards ceremony with refreshments. Registration fees are $20 in advance and $25 on race day with proceeds to benefit the Abundance Foundation.


• Local Culinary Tour: starting at 1pm, begin your tour by picking up a Culinary Tour Guide at the Information Center, then visit each of Briar Chapel's model homes where well-known local chefs will showcase menu items recently created for Chatham County Schools, through a program designed to improve school lunches in the county dubbed the Chef Challenge. Featured chefs include: Jimmy Reale of The Carolina Inn, Colin Bedford of The Fearrington House, and Gregg Hamm & Kelly Taylor of the Natural Chef Program at CCCC. Chefs from other area restaurants, including Angelina's Kitchen, Saxapahaw General Store, Bean & Barrel, and Busy Bee Café, will also be on hand with signature dishes featuring locally grown ingredients.
  
  
• Hunt for Green: from 1 to 3pm, you can participate in a scavenger hunt where you'll learn all about the benefits of owning a green home in Briar Chapel. This exciting hunt will take you throughout the community, capturing photos and QR codes on your smart phone. You will then return to the information center to share your data, collect your prize, and be entered into a drawing for one of these fun prizes: a 1-month pool pass to Briar Chapel for a family of four, a rain barrel water capturing system (a $100 value), a $25 gift certificate to one the local restaurants featured at Briar Chapel Earth Day celebration, two tickets to the Pepper Festival courtesy of the Abundance Foundation (a $50 value), and an energy saving monitor courtesy of McNeill-Burbank.


• Outdoor Learning Activities: from 2 to 4pm, come join me and my fellow "Green Thumb" club members and take part in fun educational demonstrations at The Briar Patch, our newest park and community garden maintained entirely by residents. There will be activities for all ages: the Abundance Foundation will be talking about local food and renewable energy, Farmer Doug will be discussing the importance of seed saving and various gardening tips, and residents will provide an educational discussion for children in our "Pots for Tots" gardening class.
  
  
• Beer Garden: while you're visiting the Briar Patch, enjoy some refreshments provided by local businesses, including Sugarland Bakery and Fullsteam Brewery.
  
  

• Q&A with author Jonathan Bloom: from 2 to 3pm, the author of American Wasteland will be on hand to share insights on local food recovery and on how to eliminate food waste in the home. The discussion will be followed by a question and answer session. You can even register to win a 110 gallon composter (a $100 value).

Come join me in the activities on April 16th from 9am to 4pm. If you would like to discuss the possibility of moving to Briar Chapel, I would be happy to do so. Contact me today!

Briar Chapel "Pooch" Park Grand Opening

On Saturday, residents will celebrate the grand opening of the much-anticipated Briar Chapel "Pooch" Park.


Complete with separate areas for large and small dogs, time-out areas (aka "penalty boxes"), a shade structure, and beautiful landscaping, Briar Chapel's newest park is going to be a big hit. This amenity is a great addition to the development, and gives residents yet another reason to spend more time outside and socialize with neighbors - whether they have a dog or not.

During the opening celebration, folks from the Dogwood Veterinary Clinic will be on hand for nail trims and to share some great tips on nutrition and dental hygiene.

If you're a dog-lover like me and would like to live near the new park, there are some great new homes available for sale that you should check out. Starting in the low-$200s, these popular cottage homes have 3 bedrooms and are approximately 1500+/- sqft in size. Two of the four have screened porches, and several have a garage. These are worth a look!



Please contact me if you're interested in learning more about any of the homes in Briar Chapel, including those near the Pooch Park. I would be honored to be your buyer's agent.

Vote Briar Chapel for Best Community

Briar Chapel has been nominated as one of the best communities in the 1st Annual "Best of Chapel Hill" Awards by Chapel Hill Magazine.

Voting ends April 15, and winners will be announced in the July/August issue of the magazine. Be sure to cast your vote today!

If you're not already convinced that Briar Chapel deserves to win, please give me an opportunity to show you around and introduce you to all that this unique development has to offer. I'm confident you will agree with my other clients - many of whom decided to make the move.

Briar Chapel’s Third Annual 5K Race

I hope you will join me again on Saturday, April 16th, for the running of the Third Annual Briar Chapel 5K Race!

The race starts at 8:00 am, and will follow a well-marked, USATF-certified 5K course. Proceeds will benefit the Abundance Foundation, whose purpose is to increase public awareness of sustainable energy usage and local food consumption.

Advanced registration is $20, which includes a locally-made organic cotton t-shirt and refreshments after the race from local vendors. Like last year, there will also be a kids' run that immediately follows the 5K. Awards will be presented to the top 3 overall men and women and top 3 men and women in each age group.

Don’t miss your chance to run this beautiful new course, check out the great amenities, tour the high-performance 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!