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We currently rent in MacArthur Park and have decided we like it so much we would like to buy. Some of the current listings are appealing but we also would like a little more information.
Is one particular subdivision better than another in terms of re-sale value? For example, our rental backs right up to the train track so I don't think we could buy anything that gets much closer. Does a house on the greenway side have a better re-sale value than those on the other side of MacArthur Drive? We really struggled to sell our house in Seattle so we would like to make a better decision this time around.
We really, really like Giverny but there isn't much on the market right now. Are people more likely to list something the closer we get to summer or are these original owners very content and unlikely to sell?
I see roofs and windows being replaced, as well as listings advertising new HVAC systems. I thought roofs and HVAC systems "lived" longer than 20 years. Can we expect to replace a roof and/or an HVAC system on a 20 year old house?
I know some of these questions are vague, I just thought someone might have more insight if they have lived in the area longer than 8 months. Thanks for your help.
We currently rent in MacArthur Park and have decided we like it so much we would like to buy. Some of the current listings are appealing but we also would like a little more information.
Is one particular subdivision better than another in terms of re-sale value? For example, our rental backs right up to the train track so I don't think we could buy anything that gets much closer. Does a house on the greenway side have a better re-sale value than those on the other side of MacArthur Drive? We really struggled to sell our house in Seattle so we would like to make a better decision this time around.
We really, really like Giverny but there isn't much on the market right now. Are people more likely to list something the closer we get to summer or are these original owners very content and unlikely to sell?
I see roofs and windows being replaced, as well as listings advertising new HVAC systems. I thought roofs and HVAC systems "lived" longer than 20 years. Can we expect to replace a roof and/or an HVAC system on a 20 year old house?
I know some of these questions are vague, I just thought someone might have more insight if they have lived in the area longer than 8 months. Thanks for your help.
The things to watch for include backing to the tracks, backing to Cary Parkway, Davis Drive, Waldo Rood, or MacArthur Drive. Modena is a through street, and people drive too fast. Speed bumps have been discussed.
Some of the homes that back to the park have lovely views and access.
We have lived for 8+ years in Giverny, which is not in MacArthur Park, despite all the MLS errors that say it is.
We only see a house or two sell each year. None in 2010, two in 2009, and 4 in 2008.
Not having an HOA is a great attraction.
My street is about half original owners. There are several others in the neighborhood.
Like everyone else, we have a 17 year old house. It backs to the tracks.
You can expect to do some work on a 20 year old tract-built home.
We replaced the gas pack for the lower level when it was 9 years old, and will probably be replacing the 2nd level HVAC equipment this year.
We removed the masonite and installed vinyl siding in 2008. Several neighbors in Giverny have done the same thing.
We will have a new roof within 4-5 years. The shingles on almost all the homes in the area are rated for 20 years, and are still OK, but workmanship on roofs in the early 1990's was more or less pitiful and it gets easier to replace rather than repair.
I will reiterate that Modena Drive is full of speeders.
Giverny is great in that there is no homeowners association. There aren't any pools in the older part of MacArthur anyway, so the association does not get you as much as it otherwise would. Most of us join a local pool such as Scottish Hills, etc.
Almost everyone around me has replaced both units in there dual zone heating and AC. They just don't last that long, so it shouldn't be an issue for you to find one recently replaced. Also many of us have replaced a lot of things, including old siding and so forth.
There is a tiny portion of MacArthur park area that is zoned for Davis Drive Elementary rather than the more controversial Laurel Park year-round elementary. If this is an issue for you, you might want to go with the tiny DDE portion.
The railroad behind the houses affords wonderful privacy. Nothing will go back there. I know some people are wary of having a greenway behind your house. I like the greenway but I would not want a constant stream of people behind my house. The greenway in MacArthur is VERY busy. A few years back there were some issues with women being assaulted on a greenway in Cary or Apex I think.
We currently rent in MacArthur Park and have decided we like it so much we would like to buy.
I see roofs and windows being replaced, as well as listings advertising new HVAC systems. I thought roofs and HVAC systems "lived" longer than 20 years. Can we expect to replace a roof and/or an HVAC system on a 20 year old house?
I know some of these questions are vague, I just thought someone might have more insight if they have lived in the area longer than 8 months. Thanks for your help.
The age of that neighborhood is consistent with roof/HVAC replacement. 20 year shingles in our area tend to last about 18 years on average and HVAC systems are lucky to get 15 years with proper maintenance nowadays. If homeowners let maintenance get away from them, then at the better part of 20 years old you can expect to replace some systems. Even properly maintained it is not unreasonable to expect that.
I have probably inspected 80% of that neighborhood since its inception in the early 90's. Feel free to message me with any questions/concerns and I will be happy to answer them for you. It is a great area!
We currently rent in MacArthur Park and have decided we like it so much we would like to buy. Some of the current listings are appealing but we also would like a little more information.
Is one particular subdivision better than another in terms of re-sale value? For example, our rental backs right up to the train track so I don't think we could buy anything that gets much closer. Does a house on the greenway side have a better re-sale value than those on the other side of MacArthur Drive? We really struggled to sell our house in Seattle so we would like to make a better decision this time around.
We really, really like Giverny but there isn't much on the market right now. Are people more likely to list something the closer we get to summer or are these original owners very content and unlikely to sell?
I see roofs and windows being replaced, as well as listings advertising new HVAC systems. I thought roofs and HVAC systems "lived" longer than 20 years. Can we expect to replace a roof and/or an HVAC system on a 20 year old house?
I know some of these questions are vague, I just thought someone might have more insight if they have lived in the area longer than 8 months. Thanks for your help.
One unconventional thing to try is if you see a house or houses you like in Giverny (that are not on the market) is to write the owner a letter, explain your situation and inquire if they are interested in selling. Maybe, one of the owners was on the fence about moving and this pushes them over the edge.
There is a tiny portion of MacArthur park area that is zoned for Davis Drive Elementary rather than the more controversial Laurel Park year-round elementary. If this is an issue for you, you might want to go with the tiny DDE portion.
Im not aware of any controversy surrounding Laurel Park Elementary. We are a Laurel Park Elementary family and very happy with the school. Do you know something I dont?!
Thanks.
Last edited by MammaLakn; 03-31-2011 at 10:08 AM..
The things to watch for include backing to the tracks, backing to Cary Parkway, Davis Drive, Waldo Rood, or MacArthur Drive. Modena is a through street, and people drive too fast. Speed bumps have been discussed.
Some of the homes that back to the park have lovely views and access.
We have lived for 8+ years in Giverny, which is not in MacArthur Park, despite all the MLS errors that say it is.
We only see a house or two sell each year. None in 2010, two in 2009, and 4 in 2008.
Not having an HOA is a great attraction.
My street is about half original owners. There are several others in the neighborhood.
Like everyone else, we have a 17 year old house. It backs to the tracks.
You can expect to do some work on a 20 year old tract-built home.
We replaced the gas pack for the lower level when it was 9 years old, and will probably be replacing the 2nd level HVAC equipment this year.
We removed the masonite and installed vinyl siding in 2008. Several neighbors in Giverny have done the same thing.
We will have a new roof within 4-5 years. The shingles on almost all the homes in the area are rated for 20 years, and are still OK, but workmanship on roofs in the early 1990's was more or less pitiful and it gets easier to replace rather than repair.
Giverny is not part of McArthur park?
We had friends who lived on a culdesac at the end of Modena..Vethal or something like that. I had always been under the impression that it was part of McAruther park because the "giverny" sign was stylized the same way the rest of the MacArthur signs were. Always loved the floorplan of their house. The railroad tracks were literally IN THEIR BACK YARD though; when a train went by the house would shake and you couldn't hear the person sitting right next to you speak.
We had friends who lived on a culdesac at the end of Modena..Vethal or something like that. I had always been under the impression that it was part of McAruther park because the "giverny" sign was stylized the same way the rest of the MacArthur signs were. Always loved the floorplan of their house. The railroad tracks were literally IN THEIR BACK YARD though; when a train went by the house would shake and you couldn't hear the person sitting right next to you speak.
Giverny is not in any way a part of MacArthur Park PUD or of Parkway PUOA.
Actually, the Giverny sign is somewhat different than the MacArthur Park neighborhood signs.
It is a plaque on faux-iron fence, between two stone columns.
We have not had any experience with the train similar to that, and the RR corridor abuts our property. The track is about 100 feet from our back door.
I know at Ve Theyl, the track is a little closer, though.
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Giverny and MacArthur
