Cary NC Real Estate >> Raleigh & Cary NC Real Estate Blog

Some clients of mine purchased in Carolina Preserve can't move to NC for quite sometime.  That said, they would like to lease their very own new home in Carolina Preserve.  I'd like to help them and I know there are several clients that I'm working with that would love to move here now rather than waait for the build time.  This is your chance to move-in now and into a brand new home!

Photo Gallery Gorgeous Stone and Shake Elevation Gourmet kitchen w/SS Appliances, Gas Cooktop, Island, and Pantry Elegant Formal Dining Room Light and Bright Breakfast Room Sunroom w/a view Premium lot w/great view Description Move-in now to the Hottest Active Adult Community on the East Coast! NEW Emerald, Chesnut Garden plan + SUNRM. Gorgeous hardwood floors throughout the main living areas. Gourmet kitchen w/gas cooktop and SS Appliances. Premium lot overlooking one of the many ponds. Enjoy the amentities of the 34.000 Square Ft Bradford Hall, Tennis Courts, and Bacci Ball! HOA fees included Features Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Parking: 2 Year Built: 2008 Subdivision: Carolina Preserve Garage Size: 2 Car School District: Chatham County Square Footage: 2246 Agent Name: Tracy Santrock Broker: Fonville Morisey MLS #: 1614294 Location 309 Buckingham Loop Cary NC 27519 Powered by vFlyer.com vFlyerId: 1785119

For the past few years the Cary Tennis Park, one of the finest public tennis facilities in the country located in Cary, NC, has hosted a Cancer Fundraiser called Jimmy V Rackets for Research. The fundraiser is tied to the Jimmy V foundation, which ties back to Jim Valvano, former NCSU Basketball Coach, and philanthropist. 

I have been involved heavily in tennis in the area for many years and this cause is one of the best fundraisers in the Triangle area.  My husband Mauro, and his partner, won the championship last year.  This year there are four

 opportunities to play with the pros - among them are Don Johnson, Tim Wilkinson, Stan Smith, and Rick Leach. Each of these players are famous in their own right and could hold court with the greats!

My friend, Pam Gilbert, who is on two of my USTA Teams, is a pro at Cary Tennis Park, and she reminded me tonight of this great event.

Don't miss it!

This year is the 20th Anniversary of the Durham Bulls Movie and low and behold Kevin Costner decided to grace the Triangle on July 4th in remembrance.  His visit brings back a lot of memories and a few reasons why you should try to catch a game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park(D-BAP) if you're in town.  I moved to the Triangle just about the time Bull Durham was being released and the team was still playing in the old athletic park. 

Times have changed and the Durham Bulls are still a minor league Baseball team for the Tampa Bay Rays but their digs have changed.  The Durham Bulls play baseball in a beautiful stadium in downtown Durham called the Durham Bulls Athletic Park that opened in 1995.  The stadium is fabulous and seats up to 10,000!

Another favorite pastime at Durham Bulls games is the infamous snorting bull.  It's not the same bull used in Bull Durham but the new bull sure knows how to snort and keep a crowd entertained. 

Here's the schedule for the 2008 Season.  I hope you and your families will be able to make it out to a fun-filled game soon!

Looking for a restaurant that is quaint, relaxed, enjoyable, and a little bit beyond the extraordinary?  That's just what I ordered for my Birthday yesterday.  Fortunately for me, I had Eleanor Thorne join me for the fun and festivities.  Thanks goodness Eleanor understands why I bring my video camera and digital camera with me everywhere I go - including fun lunches.  Eleanor was nice enough to educate our waitress on Localism and it's benfits. 

Cindy's House and Cafe in Cary is fabulously different with wonderful dishes, great menu, and a wonderful staff too! It's located in downtown Cary and provides character to the area.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed my visit. 

If you'd like to check it out, Cindy's House is located at 140 E Chatham St.  Reservations aren't needed but just in case you have a few questions they can be reached at 380-1193. 

As many of you know I work with Active 55+ Seniors that are moving to the Triangle on a regular basis.  I had 3 inquiries just this week.  The Triangle is so popular for retirement because the housing is affordable and the taxes are reasonable too(less than 1% of the assessed value and we only have assessments every eight years). 

With all due respect I couldn't help but pass this video on to my fellow Senior Residential Real Estate Specialist (SRES) experts and any of the clients that may be considering a move to the Triangle.  Yes, Realtors have a sense of humor too!

I had lunch yesterday at Cindys House in downtown Cary with AR member Eleanor Thorne.  I had never been there and heard all about it.  While I was there I was reminded of Lazy Daze.  Cindy's House had a little flyer about upcoming events in the Cary area.  Every year on the fourth Saturday in August the Town of Cary puts on quite a show with the Lazy Daze Festival in downtown Cary, North Carolina. 

The festival annually brings in more than 60,000 people and more than 400 artisans from all over the country who show their wares and sell their beautiful handiwork. The festival is a daylong affair with two stages set up to provide nonstop live entertainment. There are plenty of things to do for the kiddies and an abundance of food stands including fare from restaurants like ZPizza, the Tiki Grill, Lemonade vendors, and Lumpys Ice Cream.   >Lazy Daze is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the southeast. There is a lot to see and do and, unless it's raining, most people in town attend the event.  I just love getting acquainted with the different artists and learning about their craft techniques.

The craftsmanship is wonderful. You can find handmade goods of every variety including jewelry, pottery, clothing, ornaments, leather, wood crafting, metal work, carvings, paintings, you name it and you will find someone there who does it, and does it to perfection.

Because of the crowds and the popular attendance, the Town of Cary makes it easy to get to the festival by providing shuttle buses from the nearby shopping mall, the Cary Towne Center, where there is plenty of free parking. 

I hope to see you there!

Jim Goodnight's influence on North Cary is evident with one of my favorite retail destinations in Cary - The Arboretum.  Just minutes from SAS Intitutes campus this is such a wonderful addition to Cary.  I had to write about the Arboretum today because my daughter, Jordan,  just started her 1st job at one of the retail establishments - Cafe Carolina at the Arboretum.  My husband, Mauro and I, dropped in for a fantastic lunch and to visit Jordan too! 

Here's a look as some of the fabulous destinations at the Arboretum: 

Dining

An New World Cuisine - This restaurant is the brainchild of Ann Goodnight, Dr. Goodnights prominent wife.  An, which means "to dine" or "to eat" in Vietnamese, was voted Best New Restaurant in the Triangle by Metro Magazine in 2007.  Chef Michael Chuong is the mastermind behind the new world cuisine, which the eatery describes as an elegant blend of Southeast Asian flavors and European influences.

Bonefish Grill - My local favorite for fresh fish.  It's always busy though so make a reservation or you may have to wait a while.  I really like the fresh vegetables and choice of toppings for the entree choices.  A must visit if you are in town for just a short trip. 

Ruth's Chris Steak House - This is not your average Ruth's Chris.  When the Arboretum opened up Ruth's Chris embraced the opportunity to build an oppulant steak house in a fabulous location with terrific service.  This steak house measures up to the high standards set for a truly wonderful dining experience.  

Cafe Carolina & Bakery - offers a variety of sandwiches, flatbreads, grilled paninis, wraps, soups and salads. Breakfast includes sandwiches, quiche, biscuits and bagels. In-house bakery makes breads, cakes, cookies and muffins. Full espresso bar with coffee by the cup or pound.

Moe's Southwest Grill - is quick, inexpensive tex-mex food and a wonderful atmosphere too!

Services

Iatria Day Spa Take some time off and enjoy a relaxing day at Iatria.  I've had facials and massages at this location.  The staff is fabulous and the experience very relaxing. 

HairColorXperts - My daughters favorite hairstylist works here.  Fabulous stylists in a wonderful location!

Here is a link to some of the great shopping experiences at the Arboretum:  Kristen's Shoe Boutique, Joint Venture Jewelers, Ciao Bella, and Denim & Lace.  All are boutiques with unique merchandise and wonderful staff to help you find the exact shoe or top for that special party!

O2 Fitness - this where you go to see and be seen.  They've got a wonderful facility, great instructors, fitness equipment, and plenty of flat panel TVs for your favorite workout!

There is a lot more to discover at the Arboretum.  I thought I'd provide you with the highlights.  I hope you enjoy the quick slideshow on the Abroretum. 

I have a listing appointment on Tuesday to discuss the Marketing of a Townhome in Cary Park.  I've sold several in the area but the market has shifted dramatically since last year.  This particular Townhome is just a few years old, in a great location, built by a reputable builder, and has been listed through a limited service company for two months with no showings.  The seller, who used to be a Broker, has tried a number of things to get the property moving to no avail. That said, I thought I'd gather my thoughts and write a Market Conditions Report for Townhomes /Condos in Cary for Q12008 that I will use in my discussion with the seller on Tuesday.  

First, lets talk about the overall real estate market in general and some of the variables that have influenced the market.   

Gas prices are at an all time high, the value of the dollar has diminished significantly over the last few years, the credit markets are still in distress as banks and other financial institutions continue to point fingers, the US housing market is in serious trouble in a number of areas in the country, and the stock market itself was expected to recover with the housing market and that just hasn't happened.  Our residential real estate market depends upon the free flow of buyers and sellers. Our market is currently stuck as many inbound transferees cannot sell their out of state residences, many of our outbound transferees cannot sell their local residences and there is a crisis of confidence among a large portion of potential buyers which is playing a role in the ability to sell.

Is there any good news in this segment?

Fortunately, in this area, we have not had the run up in prices experienced around the rest of the country which has helped maintain some stability in sales and pricing.  And, appreciation rates have remained stable in Cary at 4.85% vs. 0.85% for the rest of the US in 2008.  

What about the supply of inventory for Condos/Townhomes in Cary/Apex/Morrisville in particular?

• The average supply in the Triangle is running at 8 months supply.  The numbers for Cary/Apex/Morrisville  are fairly healthy with Cary at 5 months, Apex at 6 months, and Morrisville at 6 months.   

Here are some additional market variables that a seller must consider before selling in the current market:  

• Higher inventory and fewer closings have produced an oversupply of inventory in the Townhome/Condo Market
• Price reductions are up:  There has been a 73% increase of sellers taking price reductions
• Q12007 Inventory = 1905, Q12008 Inventory = 2705
• Q12007 Closings = 1300, Q12008 Closings =980
• Q12007 Average DOM = 107, Q12008 Average DOM = 108
• Over 70% of the Townhomes sold in the first half of 2008 were new construction 

It's not enough in this market to have the home look good, smell good, and be in a great location.  The most important variable to consider in this market is an experienced agent that understands the market, is selling in the same area, and is backed by a top firm in the area that will bring in more buyers to a property. Let's not forget, too, that pricing is critical.  Sellers need to look only at closed home sales to base their pricing on rather than what is currently listed on the market because there are still a lot of overpriced listings on the market.  I've always said that I price homes to sell and not sit.  

Take a look at some of the Townhomes sold in the past few months in the Cary/Apex/Morrisville NC Area: Visit my website or Email me at Tracy@TracySantrock.com for more information on Cary NC Real Estate or the Triangle Market in general.

I would say that this is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Raleigh.  As a result, this planned community has received numerous awards and accolades from the National Association of Home Builders and others and is one of the reason this neighborhood has sold so well.  There really is something for everyone in this neighborhood where prices start in the low 200s and peak at over $1M. 

City:  Raleigh, North Carolina

Directions:

From the Airport:  Take US-70/Aviation Parkway West to I-540 East toward US-70.  Exit Falls of Neuse Road(Exit 14).  Take a left onto Falls of Neuse Road. Turn right into Bedford onto Dunn Road.  Enter roundabout and take 3^rd exit onto Falls River Avenue. 

Community Details:  Fact Sheet

Bedford at Falls River Awards & Honors

• March 30, 2004 - Bedford Wins North Carolina Community Of The Year
• February 15, 2005 - Bedford At Falls River Glimmers with Gold; Attains Multiple National Awards
• August 29, 2005 - Where to Retire Magazine Ranks Raleigh's Bedford at Falls River Among 100 Best
• October 21, 2005 - Homebuilders at Bedford at Falls River Receive Ten Awards from Raleigh's Parade of Homes
• September 28, 2006 - Bedford Awarded with Master Planned Community of the Year

Bedford at Falls River Amenities

Recreation Center - Over 3,500 Square Feet with two sitting areas, a TV, VCR, and wireless Wi-Fi internet access throughout the building.

Pools at the Recreation Center - There's plenty of swimming in Bedford. The Recreation Center has two pools-a competition sized pool and a standard size pool. The kids favorite is Mt. Gushmore, the 110-foot long, 15-foot high mountainous waterslide!

Parks and Greenways - There are over 205 acres of parks, greenways and open spaces at Bedford, along with 26 miles of tree-lined sidewalks including Jellystone Park, Pottersville Park, Central Park and the Secret Garden.

Clock Tower - This is the center of Beford and the Town Square marked by the bold and beautiful brick Clock Tower.

The Shoppes at Bedford Square - Plan for a small commercial section in Bedford and sometime Farmers Market at the Square. 

One of the neat aspects about Bedford at Falls River is its walk-ability aspect.  Walkscore.com has done a study of the different aspects of a neighborhood to see how close amenities are to the neighborhood.  Bedford scored well in terms of a central location near the library, grocery stores, coffee shops, gas stations, etc. 

Here is a list of Builders and the communities they represent:

• 1^st American Builders - Greenbrier Collection, Sonoma Collection, The Townes at Bedford Square
• Bedford Builder Group - Bailey Park Collection, Wainwright Collection
• Chase Properties - Charleston Collection.  Local builders include Amward Homes, Inc, Impact Design-Build, Inc, Upright Builders, Inc, and Wardson Construction Co
• Chesapeake Homes - Greenbrier Collection
• Drees Homes - Society Hill Collection
• Estate Builder Group - Custom Builders including Barrington Homes, CityScape Builders, Homescape Building Co., Houseman Custom Homes, Rice Builders, Timberline Builders, Tingen Construction Co., and
  Woodard Builders
• John Wieland Homes - Riverpoint Collection             

Check out Bedford's Interactive Neighborhood Website for more information or view my video tour below:

If you'd like more information on this community or information on relocating to the Triangle in general please visit my website or contact me via email by completing the contact form.