On your left is a photo of my dog Maggie.  I call her my "Goofie Girl".  She has allergies and a fettish for shoes, pants, underwear, and "people food".   Regardless of the challenges posed by Maggie, she adores us and we adore her - at least most of the time.  I thought I have a ton of energy but Maggie has even more.  That is why Maggie's vet told us about Town & Country in Apex.  Town & Country's website talks about the services they provide for dogs that have special needs.  That's my dog.  Just as I want the best for my child I also want the best for my Maggie.   Town & Country offers a variety of services including boarding, grooming, training, and daycare.  Maggie has been to the Town & Country obedience classes several times but somehow she has succeeded in failing the beginner ... 12/14/2007

  City:  N. Apex, North Carolina Address:  Just South of HWY64 off of HWY 55.  Neighborhood Facts: Established in mid 90s - Community has several tree lined streets Price range is $300k- mid 500ks  Over 300 Single Family Homes, Townhomes, and Condominiums on the border of Apex & Cary Across the street from Beaver Creek Shopping Center This community, established in the mid- 90s has over 300 Single Family Lots. There is a combination of custom and national builders in the neighborhood. This neighborhood has a wonderful location, tree lined streets, and is a reasonable value for the area.  Builders: Variety of Builders(Pinkus, Engle,Comstock, Providence St. Lawrence Homes) , Condominiums by Comstock Homes, Townhomes by PCS Homes Amenities:  Walking trails, tot lot, tennis courts, an olymp... 11/30/2007

Christmas on Salem Street - November 30 & December 1, 2007 Friday November 30th will feature several fun filled events including horse-drawn Sleigh Rides, a tree lighting ceremony at the Chamber of Commerce, and a Scrooge scavenger hunt.  Let's not forget the Christmas Carolers too!  Saturday December 1st will definitely be a fun time for the kids - A pancake breakfast at the fire station and pictures with Santa.  Top it all off with a Christmas Parade at 5pm.  Apex Historical Home Tour - December 2nd 1-5pm Take a look into Christmas past during Apex Historical Society's Home tour.  It will feature three homes, one cabin, the Depot, and the Maynard-Pearson House.  A reception with refreshments will be held at the Maynard-Pearson House along with an Old Fashion Sweet Shoppe during the to... 11/30/2007

Buying a Home in the Raleigh/Triangle Area? Wondering What Kind of Countertops to Consider?   Here's a Raleigh Custom Home Builder's Perspective on Today's Kitchen Countertops  From stone to stone-look laminate, from marble to concrete, from tile to solid surface - choices for countertops are more extensive, and sometimes more confusing, than ever before.  Here's a little education about what goes into, and what can go on top of, a variety of countertops.  Laminate - This isn't your mother's laminate anymore.  Today's laminate is durable, stain resistant, and available in an extensive array of colors and textures, including granite, marble, and other natural looks.  It can be shaped and molded fairly easily to match the dimensions of countertops.  The backsplash and front edge of the co... 11/26/2007

Cameron Park is a mature neighborhood in the center of Apex, NC.  Access to the neighborhood is from Olive Chapel Road or through Dogwood Ridge, or Amherst.  Getting to and from the neighborhood is easy.  Raleigh  and North Carolina State University are an easy 20 to 25 minute commute.  Cary is an easy 10 minute drive.  Regional employment center, the  Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes.  All commutes can lengthen during drive-time traffic. Click here to view currently available Active Listings in Cameron Park. Cameron Park was developed from 1999 into the early 2000's. A variety of home choices comprises Cameron Park, with low country, transitional, and traditional style homes represented, from 1900 to 3300+ square feet.  See my slideshow of Cameron Park photos on Flick... 10/28/2007

Dogwood Ridge  is a mature neighborhood in the center of Apex, NC.  Access to the neighborhood is from Olive Chapel Road or through Pearson Farms, Cameron Park, or Amherst.  Access and egress to and from the neighborhood are very convenient.  See my slideshow of Dogwood Ridge on Flickr. Raleigh  and North Carolina State University are an easy 20 to 25 minute commute.  Cary is an easy 10 minute drive.  Regional employment center, the  Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes.  All commutes can lengthen during drive-time traffic. Dogwood Ridge  was developed in the mid-1990's into the early 2000's. A variety of home choices comprises Dogwood Ridge, with townhomes, starter homes and move-up homes represented.  Townhomes are in the 1400 SF range, while single family home sizes ran... 10/28/2007

Pearson Farms  is a mature neighborhood in the center of Apex, NC.  Access to the neighborhood is from Olive Chapel Road or through Dogwood Ridge.  Access and egress to and from the neighborhood are convenient.  Raleigh  and North Carolina State University are an easy 20 to 25 minute commute.  Cary is a 10 minute drive.  Major employment center, the  Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes.  All commutes can lengthen during heavy drive-time traffic. Pearson Farms was developed in the mid-1990's to 2000's. 2-story transitional and traditional homes comprise most of Pearson Farms, with home sizes ranging from 1800 to 2600 square feet.  Click here to view currently available Active Home Listings in Pearson Farms. Typical amenities include 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, beautiful 1/... 10/27/2007

 Kelly Glen, on a rural ridge along Kelly Road, in Apex, NC, is a neighborhood of quality starter homes built by local custom builders in the 1990's.  Homes range from 1200 to 2200 square feet and ranchers and 1.5 story homes are common.  Most typical is the 3/2 home, with a few 3/2.5's and 4/2.5's.  Some homes have garages.  Most lots have a few mature trees, and some homes are in deep hardwood shade.  Recent sales prices have been between $156,000 and $227,000. Click here to view available Active Home Listings in Kelly Glen. See all 37 photos of Kelly Glen in my Flickr slideshow. The location offers easy access to Apex, Cary, or Raleigh, or a commute to the RTP (Research Triangle Park), or Sanford, NC.  Shopping is easily accessible in Apex, but Kelly Glen residents don't have to live... 10/03/2007

Crockett's Ridge in Apex, North Carolina is a newer subdivision in a convenient rural location.  Commuting to Raleigh, or Cary is done with ease.  Built by KHovnanian Homes, Crockett's Ridge features great square footage for the price to folks who need affordable space.  With a new phase, new homes are available.  Homes range between 1800 and 3800 square feet and sell startingin the low $200,000's, with some well above $300,000.  Click to view available Active Home Listings in Crockett's Ridge. 3 to 5 bedrooms and 2.5 to 3.5 baths are common.  Garages are a standard amenity, so a 2500 SF 4/2.5/2 is the typical home.  Nine foot ceilings, 42" cabinets, and wood floors are also common.  Natural gas is the heating fuel of choice.   See the 35 photo Crockett's Ridge slideshow on Flickr. Prop... 10/03/2007

City: Cary Location: Off of Apex Barbecue Road and HWY 55 Scotts Mill can be accessed by taking HWY 55 South from Cary towards Apex past Beaver Creek Commons Shopping Center.  Turn right into Cameron Park on Cameron Glen which will lead to Scotts Mill.  Or From US 1 to HWY 55 towards Apex, left on S. Salem, approx 1 mile to right on Apex Barbecue Road.   Neighborhood Facts: Price range is from the low $200s - high $300s Single Family Homes and Bungalow Townhomes Located in a central location in Apex The homes in Scotts Mill are based on several neo-classical designs, giving the neighborhood a refreshing mix of home styles.  Scotts Mill includes over 500 single-family homes and Bungalow Park is a townhome community with 184 townhomes.  The construction of Scotts Mill began in 1997 and is... 09/06/2007

City:  Apex Location:  Off of  Highway 64 West in Apex, 6.4 Miles from US 1 South Neighborhood Facts: Price range is from the  low $400s -$700s Located adjacent to Beaver Creek Commons shopping center.    Phase I - Homes were built in 2000 and beyond New Homesites are located in the Stratford Section.  Several homes will be ready for the Parade of Homes in October 2007.  Initial phased included The Hadley Section and The Windsor Sections  THE STRATFORD - NEW Homes       The new section of Abbington consists of 42 new custom homes by the areas top builders.  Pond at Stratford: There is a large pond and 2 smaller retention ponds in the new section.   Outstanding Custom Builder Team: MBM Builders, Inc. Legacy Custom Homes Richard Gaylord Homes, Inc. Robuck Homes triangle, Inc. J.P. Swain C... 08/22/2007

Based on everything I'm seeing in the market, with the exception of credit tightening and rising interest rates, leans towards a positive finish through 2007 in the Apex real estate market.  In addition the area has received numerous praises recently throughout the press. August 2007- Apex named the #14 Best Place to Live2007: Raleigh rated #1 Sellers Market in the Country2007: Raleigh-Cary MSA was rated #15 in appreciation in the country by a leading housing authority. 2007: Forbes Magazine named the Triangle Region the #1 region for Job Growth--It doesn't get any better than that. Q22007 Summary-The average DOM in Apex is 59 days. -Homes priced under $300,000 have less than a 2 month supply of inventory.-Appreciation rates in the Apex area are superior to the average rate for housing ... 08/18/2007

In a couple of previous blogs I wrote about two new up and coming developments in downtown Apex.  They are: 6/18 Trackside in Apex This development could have up to 1,223 residential units, along with up to 80,000 square feet of office space and 140,000 square feet of retail 6/ 18 Trinity in Apex The single largest development project ever in Apex with up to 4,000 new homes, 2.2 million square feet of new retail and restaurants, and mixed-used buildings with more than a half-million square feet for office tenants. It's a BIG project. These developments are being very well received by the community.  That said, the developers are at it again with a new project called the Villages of Apex.  As reported by the News & Observer on August 2nd plans for the Villages of Apex, include 1,300 cond... 08/11/2007

Our community is in the news-Again!!  This year Money Magazine's best place to live focused on small town America.  They actually looked at towns between 7,500 and 50,000 in population.  The editors decided that it was time to take a look at communities that offer the best combination of economic opprtunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community. Two towns in the Triangle made this year's list:  Apex, NC and Holly Springs, NC.  I'm not surprised that these towns made the list.   Both towns have all of the qualities that Money Magazine looked at when evaluating the list.  Here are some more details regarding Apex, NC and Holly Springs, NC.    14. Apex, N.C. Population: 26,300Median home price (2006): $226,942Average property taxes (2006): $1,940Most resid... 08/03/2007

By now, anyone who knows just a little about Raleigh area real estate knows that last year Cary ranked in the top five places to live in the entire country.This year, CNN Money Magazine chose to focus on some of the (comparatively speaking) smaller sized cities and towns for its ranking of "Best Places to Live."In our area, the winner is Southern Wake county ---- specifically:Apex, North Carolina  (ranked 14th nationally) (CNN Money Mag)andHolly Springs, North Carolina (ranked 22nd nationally)Why is that exciting?  Because both Apex and Holly Springs are practically adjacent to Cary!  These are up-and-coming cities where the population is booming.  CNN remarks that Apex' historical downtown is well-kept and is truly a lovely place for an afternoon stroll.Our ListWise staff is able to pr... 07/18/2007

Developer Kent Cummings has unveiled plans for what would be the largest single project ever built in Apex: a 1,071-acre, high-density community called Trinity. Trinity would follow the model of Raleigh's North Hills with a dense mix of residential and commercial buildings that one day would carry a value of more than $1 billion. Cummings is treating the assemblage of land like an urban infill project that would link the residential growth areas around Apex, Holly Springs and Cary. Most of the property is bounded by U.S. 1 to the west, N.C. 55 to the east and the future Interstate 540/Western Wake Parkway toll road to the south. Rezoning plans for Trinity, show parcels of mostly wooded areas on the south side of Apex that could accommodate up to 4,000 new homes, 2.2 million square feet ... 06/18/2007

Developer Mike Howington is pushing forward with big plans for mixed-use development on 200 acres of prime land in downtown Apex called Trackside. The Apex Town Council approved Howington's rezoning request for Trackside on May 31st for a 170-acre development straddling the CSX Railroad track across from the Apex Town Hall.  Howington wants to build as many as 1,223 residential units at Trackside, along with up to 80,000 square feet of office space and 140,000 square feet of retail. Howington also is developing the nearby Old Mill which is already underway. Plans call for 185 townhomes and patio homes, 40,000 square feet of residential condos, 11,000 square feet of retail and 25,000 square feet of office. 06/18/2007

Everyone in Wake County or wanting to move to Wake County knows Apex is the small, but growing community that has all the Realtors on their toes.  For good reason, it is close to the "big" city Raleigh, yet has that small town feel...just take a walk down Salem Street and peek in one of the many Antique stores or stop at the soda shoppe and get an orangeaide....I strongly recommend.  But in most small, but growing towns you have families that live in the nicest neighborhood the town has to offer, but then the family starts getting bigger and it's time to move up.  Until this year, there was nowhere to move up to....enter Bella Casa.   Bella Casa is the place to live if you have outgrown your 2,500 square foot house and want to stay in town and have the room for your family to continue g... 05/23/2007

I get most of my blog ideas from my clients.  They ask me different questions and whalla--it turns into an idea for a post.  Today I had a client ask me about Apex shopping, downtown Apex, and "what's new" in Apex.  Apex offers a variety of shopping experiences from large retail centers to its quaint historic downtown located on Salem Street.  Beaver Creek Commons shopping complex, located in the Southeast quadrant of US Highway 64 and NC Highway 55, is the first completed phase of its largest retail center in Apex.  Anchored by a SuperTarget and Lowes Home Improvement, there is an additional shopping that includes Linens N Things, Office Max and PetSmart.  Beaver Creek Crossing, the second phase of this mega-center, opened in November 2006. Consolidated Beaver Creek Cinemas is one of t... 04/30/2007

City:  N. Apex, North Carolina Address:  Just off of Jenks Carpenter and Holt Rd.  Neighborhood Facts: Established in 1995 Price range is $200k-mid $300ks  Over 300 Single Family Homes on the border of Cary/Apex  This community, established in 1995 has over 300 Single Family Lots. There is a combination of Drees Homes and custom builders in the neighborhood. Amenities include a pool and greenways. Priced primarily below $300k it's a good value for North Apex. For more information visit the Charleston Village HOA page which has a lot more information on the neighborhood including a neighborhood newsletter and community board. To view current listings in Charleston Village click here. 03/25/2007