Story and photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – We haven’t done a House of the Week story in a while, but this one is worth it. It’s about David Bowden’s former house, the “Screwed By Town of Cary” guy. It’s been bought, refurbished and is back on the market at a very attractive price.

Screwed By Guy’s House – The Backstory

Just to recap the story, David Bowden painted his house in August 2009 with bright orange letters that read “Screwed by Town of Cary.” I wrote about it in the very first Editor’s Journal.

Subsequently, the Town of Cary slapped him with fines, the ACLU got involved and the whole thing is lurching around the courts.

Mr. Bowden passed away in June of 2011 from lung cancer.

A Neighbor Steps In

Hanging around Garden Supply a couple of weeks ago, I got to chatting with owner Keith Ramsey. Keith lives in the neighborhood and his kids go to Briarcliff, so he had to drive by Mr. Bowden’s house every day.

Keith found the message disturbing, a feeling widely shared in the community. But what really bugged him were the questions from his kids “How can he do that Daddy?” And “what does it mean?”

Keith decided to do something. He bought the house.

Screwed By Guy’s House Gets a Makeover

Keith told me he made a conservative offer on the house. It was accepted. The property traded hands for about $76,000.

Now, Keith Ramsey is the perfect guy to solve a runoff problem around a house. He owns a landscape design company.

He discovered the sump pump under the house not working and the downspouts clogged, draining water under the house.

Keith said  the Town of Cary spent a lot of time and money trying to fix the situation, but the problem was really on the property.

He improved the drainage around the house, put in a new floor, new carpet, new paint inside and siding outside, new dishwasher, new HVAC, truckloads of landscaping and remodeled the kitchen and bath.

House of the Week: 305 SW Maynard

Our House of the Week is at 305 SW Maynard in Cary.

It’s a newly renovated 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath house – 1900 square feet total.

Big deck, plenty of parking and a close walk to Caribou Coffee and shopping on Kildare Farm Road.

Listed for $177,000. That works out to $93 a square foot, a good price for central Cary.

For more info on this property, visit Block & Associates Realty.

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photos by Hal Goodtree, courtesy of Casto Properties.

Morrisville, NC- We last stopped by the Park West Shopping Center a few months ago when Target and many of the Big Box retailers had opened their doors. This month many new store fronts have held grand openings and a few will be ready in just a couple weeks. The Village area will be chock full of fun eateries. Many are hiring (hint: high school kids- get over there!).

Ross Dress For Less just opened last weekend, which completes the large retail section adjacent to the Target part of the shopping center. The Village area is starting to bustle.

I was happy to see that the Sprint store that opened right after Christmas is a telephone service center- that means if you have a problem with your Sprint cel phone, they have the technicians to take care of you at this location. No more trips to Crossroads or Durham’s Southpoint Sprint location (wish I knew that this past Monday).

What’s In the Village

The Village area is located up towards the intersection of Cary Parkway and Chapel Hill Road. Six smaller buildings are clustered together connected by sidewalks. Each of these buildings can house between 3- 6 retail establishments. Tucked between two of the buildings near the Chapel Hill side is a small built-in stage area where the developers, Casto, hope to have some live music and activities as the weather warms up.

All the businesses in this area have signage on the street side as well as the inward facing parking sides of the buildings. This should help a great deal with visibility from the road for would-be shoppers. Town of Cary take note: this idea was discussed in the sign ordinance revisions, which have been stalled for over a year.

If you like to eat out, The Village area has lots of  restaurants at all price points,  and many service related  businesses. Most of the actual retail seems to be located within the Big Box area across the main thoroughfare.

What’s Open Now:

Restaurants:

• YoLo Frozen Yogurt- conveniently tucked near soon- to- open restaurants:  Ruckus and Zoe’s Kitchen
• Hibachi Blue
• Penn Stations Subs

Service Businesses

• Game Stop
• Triangle Family Eye Care- a local eyeglass and optometrist
• Jay Andrew’s Aveda Salon
• GNC
• Sprint
• Omaha Steaks

Coming VERY Soon:

• Ruckus
• Zoe’s Kitchen- big sign said they were hiring.
• Mc Allister’s Deli
• Deluxe Cleaners
• Massage Envy
• Platinum Nail Spa

Two stand alone buildings are almost ready-

• Tavinia Italian Kitchen and
• Buffalo Wild Wings

When I walked the site, workman were working furiously on these two buildings. Tavinia will feature outdoor seating and can be accessed on foot from the corner of NW Cary Parkway and Chapel Hill Rd. Buffalo Wild Wings has already painted their signature  yellow and black stripes on awnings and a side of the building. It is a short walk from the Target and other buildings at the retail core.

The Park West site map now shows an RBC bank on the Cary Parkway side, yet to be built. A new addition will be Gander Mtn and outdoor provision store feature hiking, camping fishing and hunting gear. This retailer will be over on the Morrisville Parkway side of the center.

A  Stone Movie Theater is still to come, but it doesn’t look to have broken ground yet. This area will have more, as yet undisclosed, retail nearby. Apartments are also shown on the site plan, but have not broken ground yet.

The Big Box Area

All this adds to what has already opened in the Big Box side of Park West:

• Target
• Buy Buy Baby
• Lynn’s Hallmark
• PetSmart
• TJ Maxx
• Rack Room Shoes
• Dress Barn
• Omega Sports

Th development had stalled after approval when the economy went sour. But once Casto had the green light from target things moved forward swiftly. Target opened October 9, 2011 and within the following 5 months have seen lots of building and upfits. The development seems to be building from front to back with most of the site plan in phase one located at the busy corner of Cary Parkway and chapel Hill Road. The back section has been cleared but no ground broken yet.

CaryCitizen will look for more developments here as they happen.

Story by Hal Goodtree photo by Sean Dreilinger.

Cary, NC – LocalMarket Monitor, a Cary-based company that charts the real estate industry, just published a list of the worst housing markets in America for 2011. Cary, NC is thankfully not on the list. In fact, no North Carolina city made the list.

The Worst Markets in America

Homeowners everywhere in the United States are stressed about home prices. Relatively speaking, we have it pretty good in Cary.

Here are the 13 worst home markets in the U.S. based on the percentage of decline in home value for 2011:

• Las Vegas, NV: -15.2%
• Tuscon, AZ: -11.1%
• Phoenix, AZ: -13.0%
• Fresno, CA: -9.9%
• Bakersfield, CA: -8.5%
• Sacramento: -9.3%
• Stockton, CA: -8.2%
• Atlanta, GA: -8.5%
• West Palm Beach, FL: -8.5%
• Jacksonville, FL: -7.7%
• Orlando: -10.9%
• Tacoma, WA: -7.4%
• Boise, ID: -13.4%

More information on Forbes: 13 Cities Where Home Prices Are Falling Dangerously

3 Apartment Complexes and a Nursing Home

Within the last month, four large transactions have brought new ownership to several big properties, underlining the perceived value of Cary real estate.

First, Woodland Terrace was acquired by Prudential Real Estate Investments of Atlanta for a price tag of $53 million. Woodland Terrace sits on a 22 acre property off Farmington Woods Drive in Cary. It’s a community for seniors including an assisted living facility.

And just recently, three apartment complexes changed hands. Bell Partners of Greensboro bought Preston Reserve in Cary for $40.5 million.

In the far northwest of Cary, Chancery Village sold for $36.9 million. And in the center of town, right next to Northwoods Elementary, Boundary Village sold for $13.7 million.

That’s $144 million in just a few weeks.

See All the Properties on a Map

Three of the properties are clustered near Downtown, while the fourth is off Highway 55 near Kits Creek.

See them all on a map.

This week’s homes are open on Sunday Oct 2 from 2-4 pm and range in price from $399,900- $675,000. Contact Lindsey Chester to find out how to get your open house published on CaryCitizen.

Home In Weycroft, Open Oct 2, 2-4pm

317 Bolton Grant Drive in Weycroft

$675,000

4544 SF

5 Bed, 4.5 Bath

This gorgeous brick front custom home welcomes you with the inviting wrap porch. This home has it all: study, computer room, sunroom, butler’s pantry w/ wine cooler, screened porch, stone patio, 3 car garage, 1st floor bedroom and huge bonus room. Family room features a stone fireplace & custom built-ins cabinetry.  Entertaining is perfect in the chef’s kitchen:  huge island w/veggie sink, custom cabinetry & gorgeous granite.  Relax in the grand master suite which has a sitting room, private screened porch & huge walk-in closet.  Hardwoods on the 1st floor, coffered ceiling, heavy trim, wainscot. Desirable floor plan, flat lot, great schools!  Listed by Kim Dennis & Rich Massong, Fonville Morisey, Preston

 Features:

• Great location and top schools
• Gourmet kitchen, study, computer room, sunroom + more
• Screened porch & stone patio
• Custom built home on .3 acres
• Extraordinary details and trim
• 3 car garage

Preston Village Home, Open Oct 2, 2-4pm

 206 Benwell Court in Preston Village

$585,000

4 Bed/ 4.5 Bath

4185 SF Basement Home

Beautiful custom home in desirable Preston Village. This home features a finished basement and a private, wooded lot. Enjoy the view from the deck & spacious patio. Updates throughout the home including the kitchen & master bath. Well maintained by the original owners. Use of the neighborhood pool is included in the HOA dues. Great Location! Walk to the top-rated elementary school.  Listed by Linda Britt, Fonville Morisey Preston

Features:

• Excellent Schools
• Finished Basement has FR, Kitchen, Office, Bath & Bonus
• Extensive Hardwoods
• Back Stairs from Kitchen
• All Secondary BRs have access to Private Bath
• Rare Private Lot
• Walk to Elementary School

MacGregor West, Open Oct 2, from 2-4pm

103 Charlemagne Court in MacGregor West

$530,000

4 Bed/2.5 Baths on .58 acres

Every time you drive up, you’ll appreciate the landscaping & curb appeal at this updated home in prestigous MacGregor West.

This traditional 4BR floor is complete: formal dining room w/HW floors & casual LR w/wood burning FP and a gourmet kitchen &

breakfast nook to enjoy the wonderful view of the backyard. Outdoors is an entertainment paradise w/deck & and plenty of room to play.

Listed by Tracy Santrock, Fonville Morisey Preston

Features:

• Fresh Designer Neutral Tones
• Updated Kitchen featuring glazed cabinets, new SS appliances, and Granite countertops
• Beautiful custom archways & built-ins
• Gleaming Hardwood Floors
• Butlers Pantry
• Over ½ acre, professionally landscaped
• Irrigation system
• Cul-De-Sac Lot
• HOA Optional
• MacGregor Country Club Optional

Silverton Home, Open Oct 2, from 2-4pm

307 Peachtree Point in Silverton

$399,900

5 Bed/4 Bath on .22 acres

Tour this fabulous home in the perfect location near SAS in the Silverton Swim & Tennis Community near Cary’s newest shopping center, Park West.  This beautifully appointed, updated home offers 5 bedrooms with bonus and home office space with over 3700 SF.  307 Peachtree Point is extraordinary and will not last long.  Hardwoods on main floor & dual staircases.  Large, fenced yard and finished 3^rd floor with Brazilian cherry floors.  Listed by Sharon Kowitz and Carla Freund, Fonville Morisey Preston

• First floor bedroom and full bath
• Open floor plan
• Large Kitchen with Island
• Home office with French Doors
• Large, fenced private yard
• Oversized 2 car garage
• Huge walk in storage
• Freshly Painted inside and out, ready for new owners
• River Rock Swim Club pool membership is optional

These homes were presented by Diane Donnelly, Broker In Charge at Fonville Morisey Preston located at  1903 High House Road in Cary.

Open 2:00-4:00pm, Saturday 9/24

505 Spencer Crest Court, Cary, NC 27513
$450,000
5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths,   3252 Sq Ft

Popular light & airy Nottingham model with modern open floor plan. 4 sides brick, with stone & fibercement accents. Hardwoods down. Granite & Stainless Steel in kitchen. Tile in all baths. Lovely master suite with huge shower and walk-in closet. 1st floor guest suite. A garage that fits 2 cars. Irrigation system uses reclaimed water. All this in a quiet, but convenient, cul-de-sac location!

Features:

•   5 bedrooms, including one on the main level
•   3 full bathrooms, all with tile
•   Granite tops in the kitchen and master bath
•   Stainless steel appliances, including gas cooktop
•   Hardwoods on the main level and the entire staircase
•   Excellent bonus room for media
•   Large open 2nd level loft for reading nook, school desks, etc.
•   Exterior is brick on four sides, with stone and fiber-cement accents
•   Low maintenance lot, with reclaimed water irrigation and attractive landscaping
•   Wonderful and convenient N Cary location

Shown by Mike Jaquish, Broker Associate, KELLER WILLIAMS Realty

Wessex – Open House Sunday 2-4 PM

501 Midenhall Way, Cary NC  27513
$535,000
4 Bedrooms, 3 1/2 Baths
Open 2:00-4:00pm, Sunday 9/25

Lovely executive home on a sunny corner in desirable Wessex. Hardwoods, Granite, 1st floor Master Suite, and a World-Class Laundry Room. Relax on the shady front porch. Nearby Black Creek Greenway trail access. Pre-inspected & repairs made. 1st American Home Warranty. Updates include copper plumbing, HVAC systems completely replaced, Hurd windows and patio door installed.

Based on the award-winning John Weiland Homes Waterton floor plan, has all the features you would expect in a fine upscale home in Cary:

Features:

•  Hardwood floors
•   3 Sides Brick Exterior
•   Granite Countertops
•   2 Story Family Room
•   Side-loading Garage
•   Gorgeous Master Suite on the Main Level with vaulted ceiling
•   Generous Closet and Storage space on all levels
•   Circular Drive on an Appealing Corner Lot
•   Large Front Porch for Relaxing and Viewing the Neighborhood
•   Private and nature-filled back yard

Also Shown by Mike Jaquish, Broker Associate, KELLER WILLIAMS Realty

Cary, NC- Our second week of Cary Open Houses brings homes from all around town. This week we present 3 homes represented by Keller Williams Realty in Cary. Contact Lindsey Chester to find out how to get your open house published on CaryCitizen.

Crestpoint Court – Open Saturday 1- 4pm

• First Floor Master
• 2 bedrooms and Loft upstairs
• 2 car Garage
• Low Maintenance yard

Magnificent MacGregor West Open Sunday  1-4 pm

• Main floor master
• all hardwoods with new bathroom and 2 walk in closets.
• Updated kitchen with granite and stainless.
• Main floor office with fireplace.
• Finished Bonus and finished third floor.
• Two story family room with fireplace opens to brick sunroom and patio.
• New paint and carpet. Side entry 2 car garage

Preston Open House Sunday 1-4pm

• Updated Kitchen
• First Floor Master Bedroom
• 2 story foyer
• Wooded cul de sac lot
• New carpet

Cary, NC- When Heather Foust and Shanna Middleton (who own Cary-based Designed To Sold) heard about a special family whose home needed some TLC, they knew they could make a difference. What started as redesigning one room quickly turned into Extreme Makeover Cary-style.

Two Parents Legally Blind

Heather & Shanna learned about a family in Raleigh with some very special needs. Bridget Caulder, who recently joined the firm, told Shanna about this family, who also attend her church. Both parents are legally blind, yet work full-time jobs.  The couple has two children: a teen son and a teen daughter who has Down Syndrome.  The family’s home had sustained some damage during the recent tornadoes in Raleigh. The church saw more was needed than just tornado repair. They asked for help giving the boy a nice room to call his own.

The project started simply enough but when the team made a home visit they realized that more was needed than one simple bedroom makeover- they decided to take on the entire home.

The Project

The project consists of a major home makeover.  Their small home is not conducive to the special needs of the parents or their daughter.  The home sustained some damage from the tornado in April, but mostly the home is in need of normal upkeep and repair.  While both of the parents work, making ends meet is difficult and working on the home themselves is a challenge.  In the re-design, sustainable features that the family can easily maintain will be a key element. Low maintenance and handicap accessibility will be what the Designed To Sold  Team will work to create.

Ambitious Deadline

The team has given themselves an ambitious deadline to have everything changed out and finished during the course of a weekend (November 11-13, 2011). And the kicker is: the family believe that only the boy’s bedroom is being made-over. The rest is a surprise!

Project Goals

• The outside of the house will receive a fresh coat of paint and a newly landscaped yard.
• The house will receive all new flooring.
• The bathroom and the kitchen will receive a complete makeover (including new cabinets and appliances).
• All walls will be repaired and repainted.
• All rooms will be furnished and decorated
• The exterior of the house will be painted
• The yard will receive a makeover with new furnishings and plantings

The firm is hoping to have many of these items donated and is prepared to give tax deductible receipts for all donations and sponsorships.

How You Can Help

If you or a business you know can donate, please look at the lists below for needed items. Direct donations are also welcome and contact info is listed below.

Items For the Home

• New Appliances
• New Flooring
• New Fixtures
• New Cabinets
• New Paint & Supplies
• New Furniture and accessories
• New Landscaping elements
• Food for our volunteers
• Weekend hotel stay for the family

Skilled Labor Needed:

• Flooring installation
• Cabinet installation
• Plumber
• Electrician
• Carpenter

Contact Information

If you would like to find out more information about this ambitious project, or would like to donate or lend a helping hand, contact heather or Shanna.
Heather Foust, or call 919-673-3363  Shanna Middleton or call 919-827-7054

CaryCitizen plans to follow the progress of this project. Stay Tuned….

Whether you are buying a home, selling a home or just curious, real estate open houses can be a lot of fun. 

This week, we’re featuring 3 houses in Cary from real estate agent Ben Passwaters, priced from $233,900 to $369,500.

Contact Lindsey Chester to find out how to get your open house published on CaryCitizen.

Story by Benjamin Passwaters of Coldwell Banker HPW

Cary, NC – Labor Day has come and gone, fall has begun and cooler weather is in front of us. In the real estate world that means more Open Houses.

Lots of homes will be open this weekend, ranging from your traditional home in the Heart of Cary to newer construction in West Cary.

Here are details on three open houses this Sunday, Sept 11 in Cary.

Highcroft Parade Home 2-5 PM

216 Candia Lane is one of several Open Houses in Cary on Sept 11.

216 Candia Ln
$369,500
4 Bed 4 Bath .16 acre lot

This lovely home resides in the Highcroft Subdivision, 2006 Community of the Year, which boasts some of the best school assignments in Wake County. This former Parade Home features a gourmet kitchen, screened in porch, fenced yard, and extraordinary wainscoting. All of the secondary bedrooms have access to a full bath. A large unfinished attic is available for expansion. Held open 2-5 pm by Benjamin Passwaters.

Features:

• Highcroft Subdivision (Swim/Tennis)
• Top Schools (Panther Creek)
• Former Parade Home
• Fenced Yard
• Screened in Porch
• All secondary bedrooms attached to Bathrooms
• Gourmet Kitchen
• Extraordinary Wainscoting

Cul de Sac Near Bond Park 1-3 PM

302 Amberglow Place has an open house Sun Sept 11

302 Amberglow Place
$233,900-JUST REDUCED
Built in 1993
3 Bed 2.5 Bath  .21 acre Lot

This transitional home located just minutes from Bond Park resides on a beautiful cul-de-sac with a large fenced yard. The sellers have really made this home move-in ready. The entire exterior and interior have  recently been painted and the HVAC and water heater are both new. They have also renovated the master bath which includes custom tile. The home is complimented by an expansive deck that is perfect for entertaining. Held open 1-3 pm by Millicent Williams.

Features:

• Cul-de-sac
• Fenced yard
• Renovated Master Bath-custom tile
• New HVAC & Water Heater
• Exterior and Interior Recently Painted.
• Large Flat deck for Entertaining

Laurel Park 2-5 PM

Open House this Sunday at 2160 Royal Berry Court

2160 Royal Berry Court
$299,000
Built in 2009
3/2.5  .16 acre lot

This home is located in the new subdivision of Laurel Park. It is within walking distance of Laurel Park Elementary and Apex Community Park.  Beaver Creek Shopping Center is only minutes away. The home features over $60,000 in builder upgrades including a chef’s dream kitchen: a 5 burner gas stove, cherry cabinets, granite countertops, hardwoods, crown molding, and central vac. A sunlit loft provides space for an office or a media room. Held open 2-5 pm by agent Jennifer Lange.

Features:

• $60,000 in builder (Standard Pacific) upgrades
• Hardwoods, Crown Molding
• Kitchen is Chef’s Dream- 5 burner Gas stove cherry cabinets and granite
• Spacious Sunlit Loft
• Centralized Vac.
• Hardwood on the 1st floor
• Walking distance to Laurel Park Elementary

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

StopCaryIceNow, a community group that opposed plans for an Immigration & Enforcement Center at the Kroger on NC 55 and High House, is reinventing itself to help be an agent of change in the neighborhood.

What Now for Kroger?

Now that GSA has abandoned the Kroger site, there’s still a big empty building in the shopping plaza the connects directly to West Park.

West Park HOA president Mark Howard and friends have changed focus to pro-actively seek development of the former grocery store site. They have been contacting senior management at Whole Foods Market in an effort to persuade them to make an expansion in West Cary.

Howard said the StopCaryIceNow website is being converted to support a petition in an effort to convince senior management at Whole Foods to expand into the old Kroger site. The group is gathering demographics and other data in an effort to convince the organic grocery chain that this is an ideal location.

The group is planning a new website reflecting the pro-active stance.

For all the background on the ICE story, see carycitizen.com/tag/ice/.

Reducing the Source of Friction

In recent years, there have been several retail developments that have caused citizens to organize resistance. In many cases, residents have felt they learned about the plans too late in the process.

This new group seeks to be engaged earlier and hopefully partner with developers, real estate agents and commercial interests so that what gets built is welcome in the community.

Black Limos at Kroger

Mark Howard also had some interesting behind-the-scenes details of the ICE story.

Howard related how on Tuesday (last week), before the scheduled public meeting, one of his group saw several black limos pull into the Kroger parking lot. A bunch of people got out and looked around. They quickly got back in their cars and zoomed off.

Shortly afterward, a statement was issued that the site was no longer under consideration. The public meeting was canceled shortly after.

GSA at Cary Town Council Meeting

At Thursday night’s Town Council meeting, four members from the GSA were on hand to talk with the town council and town residents in the audience. They also answered many questions.

In a fascinating and enlightening bit of video, Shyam Reddy, Southeast regional administrator with the GSA, addresses the Cary Town Council.

Mr. Reddy is an important man in government. He’s a Presidential appointee and heads an agency that covers 8 states, manages 44 million square feet of real estate and 44,000 vehicles, has an 8 billion dollar supply chain and 1,000 employees. He’s also a former partner at Kilpatrick Stockton with prior experience in the Triangle.

It’s some measure of the importance of the issue that the regional administrator felt it was a good thing to come in person and speak at length.

Video: GSA at Cary Town Council 7/14/11

Start at minute 04:15

GSA Compliments Cary Community

Reddy complimented the town on their actively engaged residents and went on to say he was impressed with how fast the West Park neighborhood rallied, and what a great job they did with fact finding.

The GSA has said they will make our episode into a case study of what they don’t want to happen during the lease acquisition process. Their website states that they actively seek engagement with the communities in which they are located.

The current Cary ICE facility has been a good citizen, and they have enjoyed doing business in our town.

Moving Forward with ICE

GSA says they will be actively engaging the town as they restart the search for a new relocation site.

Mr. Reddy said that many steps in the first process were apparently ignored. They will carefully take a map and cross out areas that are not good for ICE and Cary. Then, from the areas that would satisfy their criteria, they will request bids.

And in West Park, a nascent community group can turn their attention to promoting positive developments in the neighborhood.

Happy ending all around.