By Heather Campbell
Customer Relations Coordinator

Saussy Burbank's own Michele Upchurch offered great insight into the builder which, formerly under the name McNeill Burbank, has been building new homes in the Triangle since 1992.  “We have built close to 1,000 homes here, winning numerous awards for quality, craftsmanship and style” she said, adding “Our unique designs borrow architecturally from the past, blending into a timeless look for today, tomorrow and always”.

“Saussy Burbank understands that for a home to last for generations, cost per square foot must not be the driving factor.  We don’t build the biggest homes or the least expensive, we build quality homes with great attention to detail that create neighborhoods and are built to last.”

Being a builder in Briar Chapel’s green-built community, Saussy Burbank is NAHB Green and Energy Star Certified.  They incorporate many practices, which Michele noted can add up to big savings.  High-efficiency HVAC systems and water heaters, energy saving insulation and air-sealing packages, high-performance low E windows, Energy Star appliances are all among Saussy Burbank’s green-building standards … and that’s only the beginning.

“Saussy Burbank is passionate about the attention to detail and in keeping the authenticity of the style and design of each and every home we build”, Michele told me.  “We are also committed to true customer satisfaction, from your first model home visit to long after you have closed on your new home.”

For your own tour of what Saussy Burbank has to offer, visit our website or stop by for a firsthand look of your own.

The value of a high performance, green-built home.  An upward trend in the marketplace.  Homes by Dickerson President Linwood Strickland offered his time and thoughts on what he has noticed in home buyers and what they’re searching for.  Homes by Dickerson is expecting 2012 to be their best year yet here at Briar Chapel.  Amenities abound, already in place, and location, location, location is second to none, with Chapel Hill and the rest of the Triangle practically around the corner.  Take a look at what else he has to say.

Homes by Dickerson has so much to offer.  Be sure to visit for an up close and personal look at what it might be like to call one of their beautiful, move-in-ready homes your own.  Or if you are hoping to build, there are many plans from which to choose.  Whatever direction you’re heading, it’s all right here and Homes by Dickerson can help you create your perfect space.

It’s that time of year again…A time when many people are looking ahead toward the new year, making resolutions, reflecting on the past and vowing to do more (or less) than what they did the year prior. At Briar Chapel we would like to take a moment to summarize the many successes and “wins” that we enjoyed as a community in 2011 along with all the great, new shiny things we have to look forward to in 2012. So hang with us for a moment as we reminisce.

Earth Day was the first major community event we all started out the year working towards; the annual 5k kicked things off and chef tastings along with the Hunt for Green were a key draw to the community. Unfortunately, severe weather dampened the festivities of the day, but thankfully we were fortunate to be out of the path of some severe devastation that was felt by the surrounding community.

Our community non-profit partners keep us passionate about local causes and continue to be an important part of what Briar Chapel is all about. The trails at Briar Chapel continue to be constructed in concert with the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC). This group also participates with us in several yearly events for trail riders where they not only get on the trails to ride, but they also offer trail education to bring awareness to mountain biking for everyone from beginner to advanced. The Abundance Foundation, is a valuable community partner that educates the public about renewable energy, local food and the community. We had the pleasure of working with them and the local schools in a very important initiative surrounding healthier, more nutritious lunches in our school cafeterias. The Chatham County Arts Council, Green Home Builders of the Triangle, and neighboring community were all a pleasure to collaborate with and support this year. Each entity stands for an important cause that ties back to the core values of what Briar Chapel and Newland Communities are all about – green building, sustainable living, innovative art, education and wellness.

We ended 2011 with an increase in sales of 13% from 2010 – and have been increasing incrementally each year since grand opening. New builders joined our team to fully round out the home offerings we bring to potential buyers. And sales prices have remained consistent = home values are only on the rise in the community. In September, the community celebrated its third anniversary right about the time we were welcoming our 200^th resident! Briar Chapel moved up the rankings among the Triangle’s top communities for annual starts from top 10 status to #3 the second half of the year!

October was a fantastic opportunity for Briar Chapel to host the Amazing Pittsboro Pepper Festival put on by non-profit organization, The Abundance Foundation. This festival, in its 4^th year, was an amazing day of celebrating community togetherness and all things local as 1,000 people converged on Briar Commons Park.

Not only did we enjoy the community celebration of Pepper Festival in October, but we also opened our newest neighborhood with 174 new home sites and community park, Briar Commons – a great 1.5-acre open space with amphitheater and formal lawn area for festivals, concerts, movies, and wide open relaxation!

Our onsite activities director has brought our residents a full year + of planned activities and fun for the whole family to enjoy at the pool, in the club, at the dog park and on the trails. And our onsite HOA manager has been available to uphold procedures, processes and continuity that our residents have come to appreciate and enjoy as part of what they “bought into” when they chose a home in Briar Chapel. Our residents continue to make the community vibrant with their enthusiasm to experience new things and welcome new families. It’s great to see so many familiar faces along with the new faces that join us daily.

So if I had to sum 2011 up into one phrase, I would have to say “Creating Community”. When I reflect on the many great things that were enjoyed or celebrated at Briar Chapel, they all had to do with being active with or being surrounded by a community. Big or small, a community is only as strong, vibrant, active, AMAZING as the people that live there, and I’m proud to say we have one amazing community in which we live, work and play right here in our neck of Chatham County!

Homes by Dickerson strives to make the home buying experience an enjoyable one for their customers.  Based on the comments of Brian and Chandra, some of Homes by Dickerson’s newest homeowners, it’s clear their experience was enjoyable.  What are some of the most memorable experiences when purchasing their new home?  “While being relocated to the area was a dream-come-true, it was a little overwhelming!” Chandra told me.  “We did not know anyone or anything about the culture of the Chapel Hill area.  When we walked into the Homes by Dickerson model, Rob Jamison was so friendly and welcoming, we felt like we were moving to the right place.  It took us a little bit of time to look around at other places but we just kept coming back to Briar Chapel and Homes by Dickerson.  And Rob regularly sent us pictures during our home building when he knew that we had not been out to see progress in a while.”

I asked what they would say about Homes by Dickerson to a friend, relative or acquaintance in the market for a new home.  Chandra said “We have had nothing but outstanding things to say about our experience.  I would absolutely recommend Homes by Dickerson to anyone who asks.... I even tell potential buyers to pick Homes by Dickerson if I am outside when they come to look at homes near me!  Everyone went out of their way to make our experience positive. Rob Jamison was just all around fantastic.  He was always available to help us and be a friendly face.  Elizabeth Klosterman offered great suggestions and was a huge help in selecting some of the features of the home.”

When asked what helped them decide Homes by Dickerson was the perfect builder for their new home in Briar Chapel, Chandra noted that the builder had a number of different home options that matched their needs, particularly the Bristol, which suited them perfectly.  “They were very willing to work with us and make it feel like a custom experience.  Rob Jamison's willingness to answer our questions promptly made us feel valued, further confirming our decision.”

What is their favorite feature of your new Home by Dickerson home?  Brian noted the screened-in porch with cathedral ceilings and indoor/outdoor fireplace while Chandra pointed out that the open kitchen/family room area is so cozy and fabulous for entertaining.  “I love the windows that overlook the green spaces!” she says “And I surely can't forget to mention the huge screened in porch!”  They definitely agree on that, and on having made Homes by Dickerson their builder of choice.

Next week, we’ll have a treat for you, as you’ll have the honor of hearing from Homes by Dickerson’s president himself, Linwood Strickland.  Until then, visit our website to see all that this great builder has to offer.

When Homes by Dickerson’s Vice President of Construction, Brant Chesson, took a few minutes to speak with me, I asked his opinion of what makes the company he has been with for nearly 8 years such a wonderful place to work.  “The team of people that I work with has made it a wonderful experience” he said.  “The thing that I think sets us apart is the dedication from every team member.  Everyone goes above and beyond the call of duty to make each project a masterpiece, as well as an enjoyable experience for every customer.  The team brings a wealth of knowledge of every aspect of home building from design to customer service.”

What does Homes by Dickerson do to make a homebuyer’s experience so enjoyable, so seamless?  Brant noted their attention to detail and dedication to customer service as what they find their customers like most.  “It starts with the sales process, where our sales agents understand that meeting a customer’s needs is the first step in creating a partnership for building a new home.  From that point, our team of decorators and project manager pay close attention to detail to make each home a unique and finely-crafted project.”  He went on to point out the very high standards to which their trade partners are held, so that the Homes by Dickerson requirements for design and craftsmanship are met.

“I believe Homes by Dickerson is continuing to develop new product that meets the needs of today’s customer” Brant continued.  “From plan layout to energy efficiency, Homes by Dickerson pays close attention to every decision that is made for each home.  Our dedication to meet a customer’s need, whether meeting before or after hours or modifying a current home, is second to none.”

Brant mentioned he believes many customers are now focusing on energy efficiency and resource management.  “Our goal here is to deliver a home that has these features, but is competitively priced with other homes on the market.”  He also believes buyers are paying more attention to using a home’s square footage more effectively.  “By creating homes with more open space and rooms that can be used for different functions, we can decrease the size of a home and, in turn, lower the price.”

Next week you'll have the chance of an up close and personal chat with one of Homes by Dickerson's happy homeowners, who will give you a first-hand account of their amazing experience.  To take a closer look at what Homes by Dickerson has to offer at Briar Chapel, visit our website.  Better yet, stop by for a visit to see these beautiful, new homes for yourself.

Having built new homes locally in the Triangle for over 35 years, our January 2012 Builder of the Month, Homes by Dickerson has worked hard to build upon their craftsmanship and attention to detail to bring their buyers the best in new  homes.  “Our team works hard to incorporate purposeful designs into all of our homes” says Jenn Nowalk, Director of Sales & Marketing.   “We have professional, educated project managers, a full time decorator, certified Green sales agents and many more team members who all work together for a seamless process for our buyers.”

When asked what sets Homes by Dickerson apart from other builders, Jenn replied “Our people and our passion are what really set Homes by Dickerson miles ahead of other builders.   We have an incredible team of dedicated professionals empowered to make decisions on the spot and they go above and beyond every day to exceed customers’ expectations.”  With their longevity in the marketplace, Homes by Dickerson knows the quality being put into their homes, having built relationships with many of their trade partners and vendors.

Being in a green-built community was an easy transition for Homes by Dickerson.  In 2009 they made a commitment to build all of their homes with Energy Star and NAHB Green Certifications.  “Anyone who buys one of our homes can feel good that they are purchasing a home that is healthier, more comfortable, costs less to operate and will save them money, as well as lessen the impact on the environment” Jenn notes.  “There are several components that play into being ‘green’ and our team at Homes by Dickerson makes sure that, through purposeful design, we use a whole-system approach to maximize the green benefits available to our homeowners.”

“Our team will give you the attention you need and should come to expect with
one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime.  We understand that you do not buy homes every day and we take this very seriously!”

Be sure to stop by next week to see what Brant Chesson, Homes by Dickerson's Vice President of Construction, has to say about working for the company and all they do to to make the homebuying process a seamless, enjoyable experience for their customers.  To view Homes by Dickerson’s current offerings at Briar Chapel, please visit our website or contact a Homes by Dickerson representative at 919-929-2266.

TORC - 2011 Chapter Report

11-18-2011

This year has been another busy one for TORC. We’ve completed a major rework of the east side of Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville.  This rework rehabbed older trails with sustainability and usability issues into a model trail system. The feedback has been very positive and we are looking forward to working on the remaining half of the park soon. Also at Lake Crabtree this year saw the grand opening of the intermediate/advanced jump line. The jump line has proved to be very popular and it has really brought some parts of the biking community together that historically have not interacted well in the past. Harris Lake County Park has also seen some additions this year with a new skills area close to opening.

We also have several new projects getting ready to start.  One of these projects, Campus Hills, is a small gateway trail system in Durham, NC. The park is in close proximity to the American Tobacco Trail network, and it should offer the surrounding neighborhood a new opportunity to experience single-track trails. In addition, a City of Raleigh park, Forest Ridge is soon to break ground.  This park has been many years in the planning, but it looks like the hard work is paying off and mountain bike trails should be in the first phase of the park. A new section of trail is planned at Briar Chapel for this winter. This section should prove to be a real showcase of the area with some tough climbs in very bouldery terrain. Finally, the RTP trail system is planning its second phase. The system currently consists of 2 miles of well-built trail near the many employees working in Research Triangle Park. This next phase should more then double the current length of the system.

For a link to the full article, click here.

First it was Greece –and now Italy. The markets have their sights set on Europe these days – and US Treasury Yields have been dropping again due to the uncertainty surrounding the European Debt Crisis. Mortgage Rates, which tend to follow the direction of Yield movement, continue to hover within a very attractive range.

Interestingly enough, for now at least, it seems as though reports on domestic economic data are being overshadowed by the global debt crisis. For example, the October Unemployment number – which typically is anticipated like a new gift on Christmas – showed that we’re now down to a 9% Unemployment reading from 9.1% in the previous month. Though the number of jobs that were created came in lower than what most economists were expecting – the markets reacted with… a yawn!

Back at home, according to a September Report from CoreLogic, Home Prices nationally fell for the second month in a row – declining 1.1% - and in year over year data, we saw a decrease of 4.1% from September 2010 to September 2011. Distressed sales have certainly added to the declining formula, and while these are national trend figures, we must remember that each region contains micro-markets which are under the guidance of local economic fundamentals. Lacking Consumer Confidence and Jobs are still major factors as to why housing is still reeling – even with the help of very low mortgage rates.

The Home Affordable Refinance Program – which was originally rolled-out in 2009, has expanded its guidelines to help a larger number of homeowners who are currently underwater on their mortgages – potentially allowing them to take advantage of today’s attractive market rates. Most lenders will receive their implementation directive from FHFA sometime around Mid-November – but because this program is not mandatory for lenders, expect there to be some discrepancy between the lenders and their roll-out schedules. Here are a couple of highlights as to the changes within the program.

1. You must be current on your mortgage with no late payments in the last 6 months – and only one late payment in the past 12 months allowed.

2. There is no longer a Maximum Loan to Value, meaning that it doesn’t matter how far you’re underwater on your mortgage. However the Minimum LTV is 80%.

3. Your loan must have been placed in the GSE Portfolio on or before May 31, 2009.

4. Program has been extended through December 31, 2013

Check with your local Mortgage Lender for the most up to date program details surrounding HARP.

If you have any thoughts on topics you would like see covered, please email me at jsalemson@cimginc.com. We want to be your source for up to date data for this very exciting and always changing industry that we all call home.

Happy House Hunting!
Jeremy