Recent reviews of Del Webb communities of Carolina Preserve and Carolina Arbors (Raleigh: real estate, 2013)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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I have read some older posts about these two Del Webb communities in the triangle. Can anyone share any recent observations?
The first thing I noticed, were the dated homes and less than desirable floor plans (at least for me) in Carolina Preserve. I have been watching the market and those houses don't stay on the market very long, in most cases, selling in days. I also noticed the taxes are significantly lower than those in Carolina Arbors. What other reasons is this a desirable neighborhood?
Carolina Arbors seems to be in a busy part of the triangle, with higher taxes. I like the floor plans a lot better than those in Carolina Preserve and having a newer house would be nice. With this being a newer area, would that lead a person to believe it has a younger age group of residents? We are younger retirees and that would be appealing.
I think virtually all of your assumptions about CA are accurate.
We looked at CP in 2012 when new construction was still very available. The floorplans were bad. We did not like the location. The builder (Pulte) had a standard, no exception answer to ANY request for a change that wasn't on their option list: NO. Absolutely no. (Even when that change was easy and would have saved them money).
We had already bought elsewhere when CA began building. The floorplans and location were MUCH better. (In fact, our home is about 3 miles away, and the location was one of the biggest reasons we purchased here.) Pulte still says no to everything. We have several friends in CA. All are happy with their decision.
Frankly, we didn't seriously look at RE taxes when we were looking for a home. We knew going in that our RE taxes would roughly double from what we paid in Phoenix. A difference of 500 bucks a year isn't going to make or break us. Location was all important.
If you are looking at 55+, I would absolutley suggest you look at Creedside at Bethpage. Good location, great floorplans, smaller community than Del Webb, and I THINK they still have lots available. Del Webb is currently building in Wake Forest.
And, I would absolutley suggest you get realtor - even with new construction, you NEED one to represent YOU.
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My parents live in CP. What JKGourmet said about absolutely no changes is correct. It was kind of ridiculous, I mean that's taking mass produced to a whole new level. At any rate, they have been happy in their house and there were different layouts for what they wanted (a small one story home). They took the one they wanted. My parents are pretty familiar with the building process and were here to oversee the build and were very happy with their particular building crew and supervisor. They had one warranty issue (leaky roof) that was corrected and no problems, they have been in the house almost 11 years.
My parents don't make use of the clubhouse anymore these days, but when they first moved in they spent a ton of time there. All the people that live in their area are their age (mid 80s, now) and act like it. They can really be up each other's butts about things. Good: when something happens they are aware. Bad: should be obvious LOL. I think the bigger houses attract younger retirees.
If you think the location is bad now you should've seen it 11 years ago! They like it. It's close enough to Duke, close enough to me and my sister, and there's way more shopping now than there was then.
I have read some older posts about these two Del Webb communities in the triangle. Can anyone share any recent observations?
The first thing I noticed, were the dated homes and less than desirable floor plans (at least for me) in Carolina Preserve. I have been watching the market and those houses don't stay on the market very long, in most cases, selling in days. I also noticed the taxes are significantly lower than those in Carolina Arbors. What other reasons is this a desirable neighborhood?
Carolina Arbors seems to be in a busy part of the triangle, with higher taxes. I like the floor plans a lot better than those in Carolina Preserve and having a newer house would be nice. With this being a newer area, would that lead a person to believe it has a younger age group of residents? We are younger retirees and that would be appealing.
Any information would be helpful! Thank you!
My husband and I moved to Carolina Arbors (CA) in late 2013; one of the first 40 homes completed. We also looked quite seriously at Carolina Preserve (CP) when they were still building new homes. I agree that the floor plans in CA are much more desirable than CP. CP, located in Cary, was much more remote several years ago but there has been a lot of growth in West Cary, bringing many more shopping options to the area. I think both locations are very good but Brier Creek, the area around CP has gotten so busy which, in turn, has caused significant increases in traffic. Taxes are definitely higher in CA...Durham taxes are higher than Cary and, you pay both city and county taxes.
As far as age groups....I was 59 when we moved to CA and there were LOTS of other residents in their 50’s. That was 7 years ago, so the people I speak of are now in their mid 60’s. The amenity center (prior to COVID) was utilized by many, especially the gym, pools, tennis/pickleball. There is even a club called The Working Stiffs, comprised of people who still work....and it’s a very social, fun group. The population in CP is quite a bit older, mostly 70’s+ which makes sense since building started there in 2006.
My husband and I both worked full time while we lived in CA. We retired in 2018, sold our home and moved to the coast. We’re originally from coastal New England and wanted to be close the beach. We did enjoy our time there and made several wonderful friends, most of whom still live there. Personally, I prefer living in a community that is not age restricted. Some people find CA to be a bit cliquish.
There’s my $0.02...hope it helps. Happy to answer any other specific questions via DM.
Thank you all for your opinions and tips. I will definitely get an agent.
Do NC agents make you sign a buyer's agent contract? If so, how long are the contracts? A friend is trying to buy in Chapel Hill and the agent is disconnected. My friend got a high volume agent and she is finding the agent doesn't have much time for her. I don't know if she signed an exclusivity contract with the agent.
Thank you all for your opinions and tips. I will definitely get an agent.
Do NC agents make you sign a buyer's agent contract? If so, how long are the contracts? A friend is trying to buy in Chapel Hill and the agent is disconnected. My friend got a high volume agent and she is finding the agent doesn't have much time for her. I don't know if she signed an exclusivity contract with the agent.
No agent in NC can legally represent you as a buyers agent without a signed agreement.
Your friend should be holding two documents:
1. Working with Real Estate Agents
The agent should have reviewed this with your friend and answered any questions.
It is NOT a contract, but should have been reviewed and your friend should have been asked to sign it.
It describes the roles and responsibilities of agents and confirms that a buyers agency relationship must be documented. https://bulletins.ncrec.gov/proper-u...ents-brochure/
2. Some form of Buyers Agency Agreement
It is usually exclusive, and it IS a legal contract.
Never sign this without an inclusion of mutual unilateral right to terminate the arrangement at will.
2. Some form of Buyers Agency Agreement
It is usually exclusive, and it IS a legal contract.
Never sign this without an inclusion of mutual unilateral right to terminate the arrangement at will.
Pulte finished construction a while back, but houses come on to the market quite frequently--- many move to the coast, or to be nearer grandkids. Remodeling the interiors by new purchasers seems common, based on the trade trucks that park in front of recently sold houses. Exterior work still requires permission, though the Board SEEMS a whole lot more reasonable than when the developer owned it. Exterior color palettes are still regulated.
Durham does seem to have higher taxes and fewer services than Raleigh, but I might just be cranky. Every city office I have dealt with has been prompt and polite. Our corner of the city and county will start to swing more weight in a few years as we get built out.
Personally... we have been here 6+ years. The area is FAR more built up than we had imagined it would get. Based on internal postings with folks complaining that more things needed to be scheduled OUTSIDE of normal work hours makes me think the demographic still skews young. Gym and pools seemed vastly more crowded evenings and weekends. Hard to say for sure since the Lockdown means we pretty much haven't seen anyone in months, and the Board just doesn't leak personal information.
No agent in NC can legally represent you as a buyers agent without a signed agreement.
Your friend should be holding two documents:
1. Working with Real Estate Agents
The agent should have reviewed this with your friend and answered any questions.
It is NOT a contract, but should have been reviewed and your friend should have been asked to sign it.
It describes the roles and responsibilities of agents and confirms that a buyers agency relationship must be documented. https://bulletins.ncrec.gov/proper-u...ents-brochure/
2. Some form of Buyers Agency Agreement
It is usually exclusive, and it IS a legal contract.
Never sign this without an inclusion of mutual unilateral right to terminate the arrangement at will.
Thanks for this Mike. She said she has a copy of document #1 but doesn't remember signing the second and doesn't have a copy of it.
When does the Buyers Agency Agreement usually expire?
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