Google Fiber Commits to Triangle Area

Google Fiber has just announced it is coming to the Triangle!

Last year, Google began working with cities in the Triangle region to explore the possibility of bringing super-fast Internet to residents and businesses. Based on the level of interest, enthusiasm and commitment shown by the community, they have chosen to bring Google Fiber to Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas.

Just how fast is Fiber? Really fast. It's up to 200 times faster than 5 Mbps broadband, and 50 times faster than 20 Mbps broadband. Meanwhile, Briar Chapel residents are currently relying on either Time Warner, AT&T Uverse or various satellite providers for Internet access.

Google Fiber costs $70 a month for up to 1,000 Mbps WiFi speed with no construction fee. The company also provides basic 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speed for free with a $300 construction fee. There's also a more expensive plan that includes cable TV.

Learn more about Google Fiber.

Just Listed: 83 Kimbolton Place

UPDATE: Jen put this home under contract!

Jen just listed one of McNeill-Burbank's popular "Bynum" models for sale in Briar Chapel.

Situated on an established street only one block from the clubhouse, saltwater pools, playground and community garden, this home features a number of upgraded features, including:

• beautiful site-finished hardwood floors
• screened porch  & grilling deck
• upgraded appliances
• farmhouse apron kitchen sink
• custom built-ins & wainscoting
• granite countertops
• frameless shower surround in master bath
• and more! 

This home is priced to sell at only $378,900. See more photos here, but you really have to see this home in person to appreciate the beautifully landscaped corner homesite and Craftsman details. To schedule a showing, please contact Jen Winkler at 919-593-3662.

Builder Model Leaseback Programs in Briar Chapel

Did you know that several of the homebuilders in Briar Chapel offer their model homes for sale to investors who are interested in making a return on their money without the hassle of having a live-in tenant, or to someone who wants to eventually live in the home but might not be ready to move in right away and wants to take advantage of today's low interest rates and prices?

It works likes this... a buyer purchases a model home and then immediately leases it back to the builder so the builder's sales team can utilize the model as an office and show an example of the type of homes they are building in the community. Most leaseback programs last for a period of 1-2 years, but occasionally they can last for as long as 5 years (as is the case with the info center in Briar Chapel). The length of time will usually depend on how quickly the builder can sell out the community in which the model is located, or moves onto a new phase and wants their model to be located closer to where available homesites are.

Here's the best part about builder model leasebacks. Unlike a typical investment property scenario, the investor with a model home leaseback doesn't have to worry about tenants damaging the home or not maintaining the landscaping. The builder has every reason to keep the property looking its best, and typically takes care of all maintenance and repairs. Additionally, they may even make improvements along the way to keep the home looking brand new.

In exchange for use of the model home, the builder pays the owner a monthly rent payment that is typically more than the mortgage payment on an 80% LTV mortgage. Since they have a commercial lease, as opposed to a residential lease, the builder often pays for the property taxes, insurance and HOA dues as well.

If you are interested in learning more about builder model leaseback opportunities in Briar Chapel, please contact Jen Winkler at 919-593-3662.

Kids Movie Night at Briar Chapel

Since she was 4 years old, one of our daughter's favorite monthly events in Briar Chapel is Kids Movie Night.

Last night was no different. She got to throw on her PJs, grab a sleeping bag, and head up to the Briar Club to watch Mr. Peabody and Sherman with 30 of her friends from the neighborhood.

The cost is only $12/child (plus $8/sibling), which includes pizza for dinner and an intermission halfway through the movie to play some fun games and have dessert.

Best of all, Kids Movie Night gives parents a chance to reconnect and be adults. We like to use the time to go out on a fun date together, host a dinner party at the house, or get together with a group of our friends at a nearby restaurant or beer garden.

Just another example of the great lifestyle residents enjoy!

Chapel Hill Ranks Among "Best Places to Live in America" from Money Magazine

Chapel Hill earned accolades in Money magazine's recent annual rankings of the “Best Places to Live in America” in the following categories:

• No. 36 for "Best Places to Live"
• No. 8 for "Youngest Places to Live"

This year, Money Magazine set out to find the nation's top small cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000.

Starting with a pool of 781 cities, they used data from
Onboard Informatics and other sources to comb through everything from the local economy and housing market to schools and healthcare—more than 50 factors in all. Then, they sent reporters to visit the top scoring places, looking for a sense of community and other intangibles.

If you are considering Chapel Hill for your next home, please reach out to Jen Winkler at 919-593-3662 to setup a private tour of the community and homes for sale.

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

As 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. This year's event was the best one yet with perfect weather and happy pups.

Brittany (our activities coordinator) arranged some new features for this year's event, including paw-painting and a microchip scanning station to make sure everyone's information was up-to-date. She also hosted some fun "best trick" and "longest jump" contests with prizes awarded. Here are a few highlights from the festivities...

Briar Chapel Builders Leading the Way

Briar Chapel's builder team is leading the way for certifying homes to the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS), the only ANSI-approved consensus standard on green building. Check out the NC rankings and latest numbers below from Home Innovation Research Labs:

• #1 Homes By Dickerson: 301 Certified Homes w/ 39 in Process
• #3 M/I Homes of Raleigh: 223 Certified Homes w/ 26 in Process 
• #4 Saussy Burbank: 169 Certified Homes w/ 25 in Process 
• #6 David Weekley Homes: 85 Certified Homes w/ 14 in Process 
• #10 ForeverHome: 16 Certified Homes w/ 22 in Process 
• #11 Garman Homes: 13 Certified Homes w/ 7 Home in Process 
• #17 Morningstar Homes: 8 Certified Homes 
• #28 Drees: 4 Certified Homes w/ 5 in Process

Congratulations everyone!!!

Just Listed: 343 Dark Forest Drive

UPDATE: Jen put this home under contract in 21 days!

Jen just listed one of Homes By Dickerson's "Jacob" models for sale in Briar Chapel.

Located on a wooded homesite near the heart of the development, and just a short distance from the clubhouse and saltwater pools, this home features a number of upgraded features, including:

• stone fireplace
• beautiful 3.25" hardwood floors
• screened porch  & stone patio
• private study with French pocket doors
• Pro appliances, including 40" gas double-oven range, fridge, washer & dryer
• custom cabinetry throughout
• built-in desk & lockers in the owner's entry
• granite counters
• large master suite with two walk-in closets and rainshower
• and more! 

This home is priced to sell at only $419,900 - well below what it costs to build this plan today. The seller has also graciously included a $5000 allowance for the buyer to use towards lender-allowed HOA dues, closing costs, fencing and/or window treatments.

See more photos here, but you really have to see this home in person to appreciate the wooded views and quality of construction. To schedule a showing, please contact Jen Winkler at 919-593-3662.

Experience the Briar Chapel Lifestyle as a Resident for the Day

As we tell all of our clients, Briar Chapel isn't just a neighborhood... it's a lifestyle!

So, we don't just show homes to prospective buyers when visiting this unique community.We also spend time exploring all of the opportunities the community offers its residents to be active, explore nature, engage with family & friends, and participate in enriching activities.

If you are looking for a new home, and would like to experience the Briar Chapel lifestyle firsthand, please consider registering to become a "Resident for a Day."

In addition to receiving a full-day pass to explore the saltwater pools, fitness center, community gardens, 24 miles of hiking and biking trails, and 20 parks, you will also receive a scavenger hunt map and keepsakes, including a chair or tumbler cup for poolside relaxation. Registration also provides invitations to private events and notifications about new offerings as the community develops.

The pool will be closing soon, so please be sure to register by contacting Jen Winkler at Jen@TeamWinkler.com or 919-593-3662 by August 31st.

Bluegrass & Brews in Briar Chapel

Due to inclement weather, this event has been postponed. Stay tuned for the rain date.

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than with bluegrass, cold brews, and Baguettaboutit?!?

Please join us from 4-6pm on Sunday, July 20th, at Briar Commons Park in Briar Chapel for Bluegrass & Brews!

The Hey Brothers Bluegrass Band will be providing live music, while folks enjoy beer from Steel String Brewery, great food from Baguettaboutit, and cool treats from Little Dippers Italian Ice.

This event is free, open to the public, and most importantly - FUN! So grab a chair or picnic blanket and a group of your friends, and come on out for a great afternoon!

For updated info, check out the Facebook page for this event.

Briar Chapel Celebrating National Trails Day - Saturday, June 7th

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is a celebration of America’s magnificent Trail System, occurring annually on the first Saturday in June. The event features a series of outdoor activities, designed to promote and celebrate the importance of trails in the United States.

Briar Chapel will be participating in the celebration with several guided tours of its trail system led by the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) and residents. Activities include:

• 9:30 am - Mountain bike trail ride with Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) 
• 10:30 am - Kids trail walk 
• 11:30 am - Historical trail walk

If interested in any of the guided tours, please meet at the Briar Club (1600 Windy Knoll Circle). We hope to see you there!

Briar Chapel's Pool is Open!

Briar Chapel's pool facilities opened this week for its fifth season!

A number of residents and non-resident members enjoyed themselves under the watchful eye of the lifeguard staff. Meanwhile, the younger ones enjoyed the splash pad, water slides, diving well and zero-entry pool.

The water tends to be a bit "refreshing" this early in the season. We're referring to the temperature, of course, but we could just as easily be referring to the fact that Briar Chapel uses saltwater chlorination. The water is easier on your skin and has no chlorine odor, in addition to other benefits.

If you would like to see the pool, and experience what life is like at Briar Chapel, please schedule an appointment to take a private tour of the community with Peter or Jen. We would be happy to show you around!

Introducing the Briar Chapel Barracudas Swim Team

With over 550 families now living in Briar Chapel, the community can support a swim team!

For this inaugural 2014 season, over 130 residents and pool members registered to become Briar Chapel Barracudas. Corporate sponsorships and registration fees made it possible to purchase the necessary equipment and hire a great coach to create a safe and nurturing environment for the kids.

For those children who wanted to participate on the swim team, but couldn't quite swim a lap, there is also a Jr. Barracuda program. It will provide 5 weeks of consistent swim instruction in a supportive and fun environment in the hopes to prepare beginning swimmers for swim team.

Go Barracudas!!!

9th Annual Green Home Tour Starts Saturday, May 3rd

As I mentioned in a previous post, Briar Chapel has 8 homes entered in this year's Green Home Tour. You are also welcome to attend either (or both) FREE kickoff events.

Briar Chapel Makes Top 10 List for Green Communities

In celebration of Earth Day, Redfin recently released a list of 10 neighborhoods across the U.S. with the largest number of green homes. The ranking is based on the proportion of “green” listings out of total listings in the neighborhood over the past two years.

Although 100% of Briar Chapel's homes are green-certified, Redfin mistakenly attributed only 26% of the community's listings. Newland is working with Redfin to better understand how the data were compiled, and determine if any corrections to the manner in which homes are marketed is needed.

Regardless, Briar Chapel continues to be recognized as a top destination for buyers who appreciate the benefits of high performance homes and healthy living.