North Raleigh, North Carolina.  If you are looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon, if you would like to look at a few homes wthout having to drive all over creation to do it AND if the price range of $824,900 to $1,099,500 gets your attention I would recommend you motor up to The Gates At Ethans Glen.  They have an inventory of 15 homes to choose from that are in various stages of construction.  The subdivision has a great roll to it and plenty of trees so you won’t be looking at a lot of homes on a lot of lots that are bare as a baby’s backside.  Also, if you have been in the Raleigh for more than five years and if you have done your annual duty of looking at a truck load of homes during the Parade of Homes you will recognize that the subdivision’s homes are being built by some of the Triangle’s finest builders. They include Benchmark Homes (Paul Roseman), Collins & Collins, Ted Keith, Steve Gray, Cooper & Rock & J. David Payne.  I apologize to those who were left out. 

To single out any one home as the best is nonsense.  I will, however, suggest that one you might want to pay particular attention to, if you like homes with basements, is the home Ted Keith is building at 12241 The Gates Drive.  The home has 4075 finished square feet and has 4 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths.  The exterior is a combination of brick, stone and fibre cement.  It has a first floor master and a first floor guest suite.  The family room is 19 x 20 and the second floor bonus room is 21 x 23.  It has a living room, dining room, a 14 x 16 kitchen with granite counter tops, dishwasher, down cook top, gas range, microwave, self cleaning oven and a 14 x 14 breakfast area. The utility room is on the main floor.  Features include ceiling fans, security system, smoke alarm, whirlpool, bookshelves, prewired for central vac, attic floored, sprinkler system, landscaped and all on a 1.10 acre lot with trees.  There is also a 3 car garage, screened porch and full, unfinished basement of 1,518 square feet.  If that isn’t enough the home has just been REDUCED $50,000!  Did I tell you everything?  Nope!  Go see for yourselves.  Oh yes, you might want to know how to get there.  Take Creedmoor Road north to Rt. 98 and turn right.  Turn right on Peed Road which is only about two blocks away.  Turn right on Tacketts Pond Dr. and left on the Gates Drive.  If you would like more information on the area and any of the homes in it let me know and I will provide it.  It would also be my pleasure to show you through any and all of the homes you would like to see.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com (currently being revised)

Raleigh, North Carolina.  Plans Filed For Addition To Mixed-Used Project.  A project with the rather hum-drum name of 5401 North was approved by the city of Raleigh in January of 2007.  It calls for housing, offices and shops near the intersection of U.S. 401 and I-540.  Last week the developer, Commercial Properties Development Corp. of Louisiana, submitted plans to the city for a new 156 acre residential portion (making the total site about 400 acres) that will contain about 181 lots and set aside 30 acres for open space.  When the entire project is completed there will be approximately 1,400 single-family homes, townhomes, lofts and apartments.  It will also have a movie theatre, hotel and 1.6 million square feet of retail and office space.  5401 North is within the northeast planning district (talked about in one of my recent posts) which is the fastest growing of the ten Raleigh regions.  The nation’s current economic malaise isn’t dampening optimism about Raleigh’s future.  While lending problems are slowing down some projects and putting other projects on hold there is, none-the-less, a continuing stream of new projects being announced.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com

Raleigh, North Carolina.  Phase I Of Wyndcroft Offers 8 Specs In North Raleigh. The Wyndcroft builder group consists of Mike Houseman, Jerry Wagoner and Larry Smith.  All of these builders have many years of building experience and are well known throughout the Triangle.  The subdivision has 48 wooded lots that range in size from half an acre to one acre.  Wyndcroft is located close to the intersection of Strickland and Ray Roads.  The initial inventory offers Craftsman, European and Classic Traditional style homes.  THe exteriors are brick, stone and shake.  Screened porches allow home owners to enjoy views of the areas 3 acre pond. 

Interior home features include 9 and 10 foot ceilings, hardwood floors, extensive millwork, custom cabinetry and granite counter tops.  All homes have either a first floor guest suite or master bedroom.  The prices of the specs ranges from $700,000 to $840,000.  More specifically, Mike Houseman has three offerings.  3932 Bending Birch Drive is a story and a half design that has 4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, first floor master, formal dining room, huge game room (34 x 20), 3 car garage, open kitchen and family room, gas fuel, city water and sewer, granite counter tops and comes in at $699,900.  His second offering is a two story traditional at 3921 Bending Birch Drive.  It has double front porches, 3 side brick, 3 car side-load garage, formal living & dining rooms, kitchen with island, screened porch, 22 x 15 second floor master, large family room and granite counter tops all on a lot of over half and acre and at $759,900.  His third offering is at 3905 Bending Birch Drive.  It is a brick and stone two story home with two story foyer, formal living room with fireplace, formal dining room, 2 staircases, 3 car side load garage, main floor master, kitchen with large island and bar top counter, open family room, natural gas fuel, city utilities, lot of over half an acre, 4 bedrooms, 4 full and two half baths and 4437 square feet. The price is $834,900.

Jerry Wagoner’s home is at 3906 Bending Birch Drive.  It is three sides brick with the balance fiber cement.  Size - 4100 square feet.  First floor guest suite, 4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, formal living room and dining room, 3-car garage, kitchen has island, granite counter tops, master has huge walk-in closet, family room with built-ins and fireplace, second floor bonus room 25 x 15, second floor master 22 x 13, covered rear porch, floored attic, sprinkler system, corner lot of just over half an acre.   Price for this majestic home - $774,900.

Larry Smith is loaded for bear in Wyndcroft.  He has four homes ready for your inspection.  For openers you will want to see 9207 Duncanshire Court.  It has a first floor master, open island kitchen with pantry and granite counter tops overlooking the the family room.  it has 3 side brick, 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths, large second floor bonus room, screened porch, first floor laundry, media room, sprinkler system, four car garage space and 4182 square feet priced at $749,900.  And, oh yes, there are the “other features too numerous to mention.” His second home is at 9105 Aspenshire Court.  This 2 story home is of brick and fibre cement construction.  It has 4 bedrooms and 5 full bathrooms.  The master is on the main floor.  It features his and hers walk-in closets.  There is a formal living room and dining room, a kitchen with island that overlooks the hearth room.  The family room is 18 x 16 and the second floor bonus room is 20 x 14.  There is a two story foyer, 3 car garage, screened porch, 10′ first floor ceiling and 9′ second floor ceilings.  It is situated on a lot of over one-half acre and is priced at $759,900.  Did I leave out lot of things?  OF COURSE!  Larry’s third home is at 9212 Duncanshire Court.  This is a two story traditional that has an open plan and is 3 sides brick.  It has a two car garage, two story family room, granite counter tops, large first floor master (21 x 16) with trey ceiling and fireplace plus a vaulted master bath, 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, first floor guest room, living room, dining room, a 25 x 12 screened porch and a half acre + that comes in at $799,900.  Last but not least is his home at 9202 Duncanshire Court.  This transitional home is 4248 square feet and is a shake, stone and fibre cement exterior combinaton.  There are 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms.  The is a dramatic first floor master, 22 x 12 screened porch with skylights, living room, dining room, a bonus room of 22 x 17, 3 car side load garage, 21 x 21 family room with fireplace, attic with permanent stairs, sprinkler system.  Heck - I am tired of typing.  This home is priced at $829,900.  Do yourself a favor and visit these homes.  If they are in your price range you will find the quality excellent and the location great. 

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com

Raleigh, North Carolina.  WRAL Concept Home Benefits WakeMed Children Services.  The home is by Mark Davis and is located in north Raleigh’s Rose Hall subdivision at 11321 Royal Amber Way.  The home has many sponsors beside WRAL.  The tankless hot water system is by Rinnai.  The hardwood flooring is by Dynamic Floor Supply.  The cabinets are by 1st Choice Cabinets.  The interior furnishings and accessories have been provided by Nashville Furniture.  Garner TV & Appliance provided the appliances.  The courtertops were supplied by Design Surfaces.  The stairway was provided by Southern Staircase.  There are other sponsors as well.  When the home sells Mark Davis will be donating a portion of the proceeds.  There is no charge to view the home but donations would be appreciated and will, as mentioned, be going to WakeMed Children’s Services.  The home was open this past week-end and will be open again on Apirl 11, 12, and 13.  Showing times are 12-5 on Friday and Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday. 

The home is a european design of three stories.  It is 7651 finished square feet  in size and is situated on a 1.2 acre lot. The above grade finished square footage is 5075 while the below grade finished square footage is 2576.  The kitchen features a full Viking stainless steel appliance package.  The lower level features a marvelous home theatre.  The home’s exterior is a mixture of brick, stone and shake.  Interior ceilings are 10 ft. and 9 ft.   There are four bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths.  The main level entry hall is 11×22.  The living room is 14×13, the dining room is 14 x 18, the Family room is 16 x 19, the kitchen is 16 x 18, the breakfast area is 10 x 16, the sun room is 11 x 12, the master bedroom is 21 x 16 and the utility room is 11.6 x 7.  On the second level there bedrooms of 14.6 x 14, 15 x 13 and 17.6 x 13.  The main level deck is 32.6 x 13.  There is also a main level screened porch that is 15 x 16. The second floor bonus room ia 19.8 x 19.  The lower level has a game room that is 26 x 15, a rec room of 18 x 18 and a workout area that is 17 x 15.  It also has storage of 24 x 11, and a patio that is 47.6 x 13.6.  There is a 21 x 38 3-car garage.  Fuel is natural gas as is the water heater. 

For enjoyable home viewing and to benefit a very worthwhile charity please plan to view the home this coming week-end.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com

Old World Style On Durant Road - Falls Preserve displays the combined talents of developer/builder Johnny Woody, builder Lonnie Smith, and designer Margot DeBarmore.  Anyone wishing to build his, her or their dream home can utilize the talents of this team to bring that dream to reality.  Woody’s concept for the setting of the homes is that of a small French country village but one that includes city amenities.  There will be a common area with a pond, fountain, benches and a lush area for just relaxing and enjoying nature. 

Falls Preserve has 15 lots.  Many have unique shapes.  While you can have your plan designed and built there are also spec homes you can select from.  There are currently four homes under various stages of construction.  To give you an idea of what you can expect to find, the home under construction at 1901 Old Preserve Court is priced at $1,325,000.  It is on a lot 0.78 of an acre in size and will have 5790 square feet of finished space above grade.  Below grade there will be 2000 square feet.  Part of it will be finished and the rest you can have finished any way you want it.  The home will have a brick, fibre cement, stone and shake exterior, screened porch, 3 car garage and a sprinkler system.  There will be 4 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths.  On the main floor you will find the Living Room (17.5×15.9), Library (17.5×15.4), Dining Room (16.4×12.4), two story Family Room (18.4×16), Kitchen (26.11×12), Breakfast area (14.11×10), Hearth Room (16.1×14.6), and Master Bedroom with trey ceiling (17×16.5).  The kitchen has granite counter tops, a six burner gas Viking Range and Viking Frig and Convection Oven. The second floor Bonus Room is 20.8×16.10 and the three bedrooms are 15×12, 14×12.3 and 15.2×12.1  The partially finished lower level has a second kitchen, Media Room and Wine Cellar.  There is also a tankless water heater.

The location is outstanding as well since it is very close to a major medical facility, excellent shopping and I-540.  To see Falls Preserve go north on Falls of Neuse and turn left on Durant Road.  Falls Preserve will be on your left.  If you would like to look at the homes that are under construction or look at the remaining lots call me and I will be happy to arrange a showing for you.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com

Raleigh, North Carolina.  Toll Brothers Starts Sales At Regency At Brier Creek.  Toll Brothers is about to add even more success to what they have already accomplished in Brier Creek.  Their new community, Regency at Brier Creek, will offer both single family and multi-family homes.  It will feature both their award winning Executive Collection and their Grove Park Patio Home Collection.  Home sizes will range from 1,800 square feet to more than 3,600 square feet.  Prices will start in the mid-$400s.  Toll Brothers homes feature such “standard” luxury items as a large master bath, hardwood floors and granite countertops.  The location puts it within walking distance of a very large range of restaurants and shopping as well medical facilities.  Aside from being close to Research Triangle Park it is practically adjacent to Raleigh Durham International Airport and the I-540 outer beltline.  The old real estate cliche of - location, location, location - is alive, well and a reality in Brier Creek.  It continues to be one the top selling and appreciating subdivisions in all of the Triangle.  For more information about Brier Creek, or any other subdivision in the Triangle, call me or send me an email at the telephone number or email address given below.

This week-end was a “show and tell” week-end for me.   On February 14 I did a post concerning subdivisions on Purnell Road in Wake Forest and the roads that bisect the area between Purnell and Rt. 98.  To those of you who don’t live in this area that doesn’t mean anything.  However,  my showings this week-end were again in that area.  With the thousands of subdivisions that exist throughout the Triangle area it is very easy to lose track of what is going on in many areas.  The practial business constrains of time, distance, gasoline cost and automobile wear and tear make it impossible to visit all of them.  Quite often it is a new clients needs to be in a particular area that provides the opportunity for me to get into some of them.  Even when you go to places you have been before, sometimes many times, if it has been six months or more since your last visit the changes can be amazing.  So, I was able to combine assisting a client along with a valuable personal learing experience this past week-end.  The one event I try to use to stretch my knowledge of what’s new is the annual Parade of Homes.  Too often that doesn’t come off since I am out with clients and can’t see the homes I target to see.  So much for my week-end.  I hope yours was a great one.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com