Dawn Grasty - Durham NC Real Estate

Post written by:

Dawn Grasty, A "New Day" in Triangle Real Estate

Broker, Prudential Carolinas Realty

phone: 919-210-5418

email: dgrasty@nc.rr.com

web: www.dgrasty.com

Is it possible to control growth in order to maintain the beauty of SW Durham?

As a resident of southwest Durham, I am incredibly proud of our area's beautiful tree-lined streets. I love that the developers of some of the earliest subdivisions in SW Durham understood the importance of maintaining mature trees, including green spaces and parks in our neighborhoods, and of maintaining buffers as well. I want to be sure that this natural beauty is maintained.

I have visited so many new subdivisions in other areas that are built on clear-cut lots, and it's enough to make you cry. Our wooded areas support many species of nesting birds, foraging deer, and small animals. While development inevitably impacts these animals, wise planning will minimize pressure on wildlife, and encourage diverse habitats. Not to mention the impact on water and ecology in the area.

From the granddaddy of SW Durham subdivisions, Parkwood (which I am proud to call home!), to the newer developments around the Streets of Southpoint mall -- growth, change, and development are being closely monitored and planned to meet the goal of maintaining all that is good about SW Durham.

For details on growth plans, SWDurham.org has a fabulous website. You can not only read up on latest zoning issues and planned development, but you can get detailed descriptions of the goals for ongoing SW Durham development.

As a realtor, I am always cognizant of things that impact property values. As a resident, I'm always concerned about maintaining all the good reasons that I chose to make SW Durham my home. It was great to learn about SWDurham.org, where I signed up to receive regular updates (and peace of mind) about the future of the area.

If you are interested in learning more about SW Durham real estate, and all that the area has to offer, I'd love to talk to you. You can search for homes on my website, or call (919-210-5418) or email (dgrasty@nc.rr.com) to discuss your needs and I'll do it for you.

Contact me, if you're ready for a "New Day" in Triangle Real Estate!

Post written by:

Dawn Grasty, A "New Day" in Triangle Real Estate

Broker, Prudential Carolinas Realty

Phone: 919.210.5418

email: dgrasty@nc.rr.com

web: www.dgrasty.com

Realtors are always talking about that first impression a potential buyer gets upon approaching a property. It's an aesthetic and emotional reaction to the home and it's environs that either excites the buyer about seeing more of the home, or makes them want to turn around and move on to the next home.

There are entire tv series, books, and magazines dedicated to helping consumers understand the value of curb appeal, and how to maximize your home's draw for potential buyers.

BEFORE AFTER

The Golden Leaf Awards competition not only has to do with encouraging the community of Durham to take responsibility for improving our homes and neighborhoods, but could also have the effect of improving property values in Durham. Who wouldn't want that!?!

More about the Golden Leaf Awards

Durham is serious about making the city even more beautiful. This year marks the 6th year this award has been given to recognize the best visual contributions to the Durham community. The competition is designed to encourage better designed and better managed properties in Durham. Two agencies, the Durham City-County Appearance Commission and Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc are co-sponsoring this years event.

So, whether you have a new property with an excellent design, or if you have improved an existing structure you can be in the running. The judges also consider the impact structures have on improving the character or livability of an area, and attempt to raise community awareness of the value of ongoing maintenance in landscaping, etc.

The Golden Leaf will be given in the following categories: Community Properties, Commercial Properties, Residential Properties, Landscaping and Maintenance, Outstanding Individual, Sustainable Properties, and Keep Durham Beautiful. The Sustainable Properties and Keep Durham Beautiful awards are new for this year’s event.

Nominated projects must be located within Durham County. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 21, 2008, and winners will be announced at a public ceremony in May.

To obtain an entry form or for information on eligibility requirements, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/gold_leaf.cfm or contact Lisa Miller, planner with the Durham City-County Planning Department, at (919) 560-4137, extension 270 or via e-mail at lisa.miller@durhamnc.gov.

It could be a "New Day in Triangle Real Estate" for you!

If you're considering a home improvement, and would like to consult with me regarding the potential return on your investment, or if you'd like help determining your property's current curb appeal from a realtor's perspective, contact me!

And, as always, if you're looking to sell or buy a property in Durham, I would love to help you! Call at 919.210.5418, or email at dgrasty@nc.rr.com.

Post Written by:

Dawn Grasty, A "New Day" in Triangle Real Estate

Broker, Prudential Carolinas Realty

Phone: 919.210.5418

email: dgrasty@nc.rr.com

Web: www.dgrasty.com

The construction of Parkwood began in the 1960s, and continued into the 1990s, including detached homes, townhomes, and condos. Parkwood is located in SW Durham, just one traffic signal west of the intersection of highways 54 and 55. It's proximity to RTP, I-40, the Durham Freeway, and easy access to Raleigh, Chapel Hill and downtown Durham have helped make it a top selling Durham neighborhood since it's inception. Sales Data for 2007 show that Parkwood has maintained steady appreciation and yet remains an affordable housing option in Southwest Durham.

You'll see that the entrance to Parkwood isn't flashy. There are no high-tech gateways, no gurgling fountains. Instead you're welcomed by an old-school carved wooden placard with the neighborhood's well-known name, surrounded by beautiful seasonal plantings, and both sides of the entry are lined with huge magnolias. What an introduction to the established neighborhood with it's many traditional homes, on large lots with mature trees and shrubs, all surrounded by lush parks and lakes. You'll also find neighborhood pools, a public library, a fire station, a convenience store, houses of worship, an elementary school, and athletic parks. A far cry from many new cookie cutter homes on postage-stamp sized lots! There is so much to love about Parkwood!(Here are the Parkwood Restrictive Covenants and updated bylaws, for your reference.)

One of the best things to love is it's variety of architectural styles, which include the Ranch, the Two-Story, the Contemporary, and the Split-level.

The Ranch
Ranch-style houses are an American original home style that was popular during the 1960s and 1970s. The ranch house is noted for its long, low to the ground profile and create a very informal and casual living style. The ranch has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in recent years. Lucky for Parkwood, as the neighborhood is chock full of them! And, if you're looking for casual living, Parkwood is hard to beat.

The Two Story
Parkwood contains two-story homes with a variety of exterior styles. Some are more colonial in style with tall columns, shutters, and often period ornamentation. Some are more farm-house style with a large covered front porch, perfect for rocking chairs. These homes offer lots of space, usually with most bedrooms upstairs, although occasionally a bedroom on the main floor.

A variation of the traditional two-story, is the split-foyer. The entry is midway between the two levels, and once inside, you can choose stairs up or down stairs. This style is also enjoying a resurgence of popularity. Since their are many of these homes throughout Parkwood, too, that's great news!

The Contemporary
You know them by their odd-sized and often tall windows, their lack of ornamentation, and their unusual mixtures of wall materials--stone, brick, and wood, for instance. Architects designed Contemporary-style homes (in the Modern family) between 1950 and 1970, and created two versions: the flat-roof and gabled types. The latter is often characterized by exposed beams. Both breeds tend to be one-story tall and were designed to incorporate the surrounding landscape into their overall look.

Parkwood contemporaries are usually compact, and often the exterior belies the wonderfully open interiors in the period style.

The Split Level
A Modern style that architects created to sequester certain living activities--such as sleeping or socializing--split levels offers a multilevel alternative to the Ranch. The nether parts of a typical design were devoted to a garage and TV room; the midlevel, which usually jutted out from the two-story section, offered "quieter" quarters, such as the living and dining rooms; and the area above the garage was designed for bedrooms. This has become a very popular choice in recent years, and offers a nice change of floor plan from the more traditional homes. Again, lucky for Parkwood, there are a large number of split level homes to choose from.

Regardless of your architectural style preference, you'll find that Parkwood offers a lot of home for the money. You can search for homes currently available in Parkwood on my website. I'd love to hear from you!

Dawn

Broker

Prudential Carolinas Realty

919-210-5418

Post Written by:

Dawn Grasty, A "New Day" in Triangle Real Estate

Broker, Prudential Carolinas Realty

Phone: 919.210.5418

email: dgrasty@nc.rr.com

Web: www.dgrasty.com

Parkwood is a subdivision in Southwest Durham with excellent access to I-40 and the Durham Freeway (Hwy 147), Research Triangle Park, and The Streets of Southpoint Mall. It's also midway between Chapel Hill and Raleigh, making it an excellent location for couples working in those opposite directions. It's also a breeze to get on the Durham Freeway and head to Duke, Duke Hospital, or the downtown area.

Parkwood is a great neighborhood for first time home buyers, with very affordable homes that have healthy appreciation. Home building in the neighborhood began in the 1960s and continued into the 1990s. You can find a variety of home sizes and styles, all in a very well-maintained environment with parks, lakes, athletic fields, a library, an elementary school, houses of worship, a fire department, a beauty shop, a convenience store, and the Piedmont Wildlife Center.

Parkwood ranked number four in the number of homes sold in Durham subdivisions in 2007. Below are the details of those sales:

Total number of homes sold (includes detached, townhome, and condo sales): 49

Sales price range: $69,900 (for 2 BR / 1 BA condo) to $229,900 (for a 3 BR / 2 BA lakefront home)

Average sale price: $134,900 for the average 3 BR / 2 BA home

Average sale price per square foot: $94 sp/sf

Percent sale price to list price: 99% (sellers were able to get 99% of their asking price)

Average Days on Market: 76 (below Durham's overall average of 87)

**These represent only homes sold in the Triangle MLS. For Sale By Owner and other non-multiple listed homes are not included.

To search for homes currently available in Parkwood, please visit my website: www.dgrasty.com Or, you can call (919.210.5418) or email (dgrasty@nc.rr.com) and I'll do it for you! We're very proud of our neighborhood, and are always looking for new good neighbors!