Briar Chapel, a Chapel Hill NC Neighborhood

Briar Chapel, 2 salt water pools and splash pad

Briar Chapel Pool

Homes for sale in Briar Chapel

Homes for sale in Briar Chapel with a first floor master bedroom

master plan Briar Chapel

Briar Chapel Master Plan

Updated August 2019

Briar Chapel is a new home neighborhood in Chatham County NC with a Chapel Hill address. It’s a straight drive down hwy 15-501 about 15 minutes from downtown Chapel Hill. Briar Chapel had its grand opening in September of 2008. Here is a link to my first Briar Chapel Video from 2010. The neighborhood has really changed!

Quick Links

How many homes are in Briar Chapel?
When will the neighborhood be completed?
New homes in Briar Chapel
Several things set the neighborhood apart from others. Pros:
Is Briar Chapel for you? There a few reasons the neighborhood may not be a perfect fit. Cons:
Location
The Commute and Driving distances to Briar Chapel
Briar Chapel Pricing
Briar Chapel Builders
Saussy Burbank
Homes by Dickerson
David Weekley
55+ in Briar Chapel
Garman Homes
All of the Briar Chapel new and resale homes for sale
Briar Chapel

How many homes are in Briar Chapel?

The neighborhood has really changed! Briar Chapel is almost 1600 acres with 2400 homes planned and 900 acres of open space. In 2019 there are almost 2000 homes sold.

When will the neighborhood be completed?

Depending on the real estate market the neighborhood will likely be built out sometime in 2022 except for multi-family on the commercial sites.

Row Houses Briar Chapel

More row Houses in Briar Chapel for 2020.

New homes in Briar Chapel

The neighborhood is winding down and there isn’t much inventory of new homes because they are often sold before they are built or finished. The information center recently closed because the developer has moved on to new projects.

The new phases will have some larger lots (Homes by Dickerson) and some new townhomes by David Weekley Homes along with row house style by Garman Homes and Saussy Burbank.

Competition for homes will be strong as the new home possibilities are almost gone.

Several things set the neighborhood apart from others. Pros:

There will not be any houses on the 2 mile Briar Chapel Parkway

There will not be any houses on the 2 mile Briar Chapel Parkway just woods and trails.

Location , price, builders, environmentally friendly, energy efficient homes, amenities, walking and mountain bike trails, schools, restaurants and commercial.

First is location. 15 minutes from Chapel Hill and Franklin Street. There just aren’t many new homes in Chapel Hill and it is great to have new home inventory to show.
Price is the next attraction. Homes have gone up since the neighborhood started but the prices are still the best for what you get in this part of the Triangle. Briar Chapel Homes for sale
There are 5 builders and they are good. They range from national and regional builders to small custom builders. Price ranges from the low 300’s to 900’s .I think a neighborhood with competing builders keeps the designs and details fresh. Competition is good.
The neighborhood is certified 3rd party green, both homes and amenities. The clubhouse is LEED gold certified. The National Green Building Standard (NGBS) is a program that certifies homes depending on the points received for green building practices. Briar Chapel builders must meet at a minimum the Bronze level of the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) . These building guidelines are given to the builders to follow.
Incredible amenities. The salt water pools with huge water slide, trails, parks, schools, clubhouse, activities director and events.
The schools are very good with Primrose preschool, elementary, middle and charter schools in the neighborhood
Varied demographics because of the different home styles and prices.

Is Briar Chapel for you? There a few reasons the neighborhood may not be a perfect fit. Cons:

At least for now it’s not a walkable neighborhood. Shopping and things to do are close by but you will need a car. You could walk the trail or bike to the restaurants at the neighborhood entrance but it’s 2 miles.
It’s 15-20 minutes to Whole Foods but there is a Harris Teeter about a mile from the entrance. Did I mention that the entry parkway is almost 2 miles long?
Many lots are very small. Some back to woods but the lot size may be a deal breaker for you. It is a trade off buyers make to get the new house in a neighborhood with amenities.

small lots in Briar Chapel

Small lots in Briar Chapel

There will be construction going on for a another year or so. When you move you will be competing with new homes if you are going to stay in your home for around 2 years you should be in good shape as development will be done. The good news is that homes have been appreciating even during the downturn when the neighborhood was just starting. There are separate construction entrances and development is in phases and goes fast.
There are big power lines going through the neighborhood. I think the power lines are ok for resale if they aren’t in your backyard. There are different opinions and studies about the health risks so I advise you to research if it is a concern.

Power lines in Briar Chapel

Power lines in Briar Chapel

There isn’t public transportation. There is a park and ride in Southern Village but that’s 10 minutes down 15-501.
The new sections look bare. but trees grow fast!
New phase Briar Chapel Streetscape.

Briar Chapel Streetscape

Briar Chapel Streetscape, first phase.
Trees grow fast!

Location

Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill, NC is a large mixed use neighborhood in Chatham County, NC (Chapel Hill address). It’s one of the best new neighborhoods because of the location, builders, prices and amenities.
It’s a straight shot of around 7 miles down 15-501 to UNC Chapel Hill on a 4 lane road so it is a quick easy commute. The prices for new homes In Briar Chapel are the best in the area and I really like that the amenities are in and that the neighborhood is well maintained.

The first buyers in a neighborhood get the best prices but have a greater risk that the neighborhood won’t be developed as planned. I feel good when there are signs that the developer has deep pockets and will be around for the long haul. The Developer is Newland and here is a link to their site.

The Commute and Driving distances to Briar Chapel

The University of North Carolina is 8 miles and Duke University is 20 miles. RDU Airport is 25 miles. Raleigh is 40-45 minutes. There are back roads and alternate routes.

Briar Chapel Pricing

The average sales price in Briar Chapel is around $360,000. Price per sq ft. ranges from around 150 sq. ft. to over $200 sq ft. I’ve represented buyers in all price ranges. One thing to keep in mind is different builders have different pricing structures so you can’t go by base prices. There are usually lot premiums and structural and design center options. Garages can be attached or detached.The best way to tell true pricing is to look at the inventory (move in ready pricing). If the home has started the lot premiums and options are usually included.

Briar Chapel Builders

Saussy Burbank

Saussy Burbank is one of my favorite builders because the houses are well done and ready for the walk through. Here is a client showing off their new kitchen.

Homes by Dickerson

Homes by Dickerson kitchen

Homes by Dickerson kitchen

They are a true custom builder and will build your home however you want as long as it meets the neighborhood architectural review. Homes by Dickerson builds a classic home with all of the latest updates without being too trendy.

David Weekley

David Weekley Encore

David Weekley Encore

I have worked with David Weekley Homes for years and know they build a good energy efficient home. Their plans are excellent and you get a good price along with the good plan. The features are really nice too. I especially like the customer service and how proud they are of their homes.

I’m excited to hear that will have some new lots in Briar Chapel with larger lots and 3 car garages.

55+ in Briar Chapel

Encore is a neighborhood within Briar Chapel by David Weekley Homes for over age 55 buyers. The floorplans are open and bright. There is a separate clubhouse and pool for this neighborhood and other Briar Chapel amenities are shared with the neighborhood. Prices start around $400,000 with lot premiums and some design center options. I have a video to help you see what Encore is like.

Garman Homes

Garman Homes has been building in the neighborhood for years and they have their own style. They are also a local builder with their main office in Cary. My clients who have built with them have been very happy. They have an interesting concept for one of their home collections. They make buying simple by having pre selected packages for each home plan. There is a beautifully designed package for each of the most popular design styles so you just pick your home plan and then choose your style package. It’s easy and more efficient for the builder too and that’s reflected in the prices. You can get a 3 bedroom home with attached garage for under $400,000. If a detached garage or no garage works for you the prices can even be in the upper 200’s for the Fresh Paint collection!

If you would rather choose all of your finishes yourself, Garman has a really nice design center with designers to help.

New construction is my speciality. Although, I can show you or help you buy any resale home on the market. It’s always good to compare.

Let me know if you would like more information or would like to visit Briar Chapel. Marianne 919-274-4365

Or, if you would like me to represent you as your Buyers Agent.

Why do you need a Buyers Agent for new construction? Here are some of the reasons.

I’ll get back out to Briar Chapel again soon and do a video update.

All of the Briar Chapel new and resale homes for sale

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Briar Chapel

by Marianne Howell Wright

Triangle Area Real Estate

5.0

Based on 22 reviews

20:52 02 Feb 20

Marianne was our agent when we purchased our home in Chatham County. She is extremely knowledgeable about the Triangle... area, specific neighborhoods and builders. Marianne was very thorough and did an excellent job representing us during the entire process; from finding a house, negotiating the offer, and handling all the closing details. We highly recommended Marianne.read more

14:51 17 Jan 20

Marianne helped us buy a beautiful home in Chapel Hill while we were living in Pennsylvania. She was a pleasure to work... with and accommodated our schedule perfectly during the few times we were able to be in the area. She patiently drove us around for many hours and several days, helping us rule out every possibility. Our final decision was made without a doubt! We felt very confident in Marianne's guidance throughout the entire home buying process. Her thorough knowledge and experience was very evident. She was there for us every step of the way, especially when we could not be there in person.read more

15:49 24 Mar 19

Marianne and Chip were incredibly helpful throughout the new home building process, especially as we were living in... Austin! They were both super pleasant, knowledgeable and responsive! We couldn't have done it without them.read more

14:59 15 Mar 19

Marianne did a fabulous job as our realtor. It was stressful to be relocating to an unfamiliar, new area from out of... town, and Marianne was extremely helpful. She had so much experience and knowledge of the neighborhoods, schools, and services for our special needs child, and she was able to advise us on the best location for our family. Even in the middle of a winter storm she was out looking at houses for us, taking detailed videos so we could see the homes from out of state. She was very responsive and always available to answer our many questions about the area. She was very knowledgeable about the buying process and did a great job of negotiating on our behalf. When we got to Chapel Hill, Marianne gave us several different tours, and even took the time to show our son playgrounds all over town. We are thrilled with the home we bought and couldn’t have done it without her. I highly recommend her!read more

Yanina Costecalde

16:57 24 Jun 18

Marianne Howell Wright is real Estate Agent; she works with her husband, Chip Wright who was in a construction building... contractor. I have been in the area for year and knew quite well the market, and where I wanted my family to be, which I recommend to any new buyer. I contacted Marianne because I liked her videos and she seemed knowledgeable about the area. They both came straight away, which other agents do not do. In general, Marianne recommends new constructions over old houses because she often goes to new development meetings and is well aware of the new construction materials (lighter, better, and more efficient). However, I chose an old house. Being single, Marianne and Chip made sure that I understood what it meant to choose a house that required a lot of work. Once it became clear that I knew what it would take to fix the house, Chip and the inspector built a terrific file and Marianne negotiate and reduced the price significantly, which is rare for the area. I invested this extra money in the house and hired contractors with Chip helps. The house was ready for my family in a month. I would like to add that Chips was not keen to advice for contractors because some clients might be suspicions of his intentions, but if you ask, he would tell you.A house is everyone own choice. You are the only one who knows what your family likes, can afford, and able or not to handle small/big improvement projects. What chip can do is to give you a far opinion on the house condition. What Marianne can do is to build the best file in order to negotiate the best price for the buyer or the seller. I recommend this team because they are professional, reliable, and efficient.read more

01:16 09 Jun 18

Marianne is awesome! She was available to us during the entire process of building our new home, from selecting the lot... through our final walk-through. Building a new home, especially while living out-of-state, can be nerve-wracking. Having Marianne represent us was such a smart decision. She is so knowledgeable about the new build process and construction, and brought things to our attention that we never would have thought about. She truly looked out for our best interests. She was available to us each and every time we needed her. We now have a brand new home that is well-built and gorgeous! We thank Marianne for the huge role she played in making that dream come true for us!read more

Maureen Pulscher

21:38 04 Jun 18

Marianne helped my husband and I find a new home in the Triangle area while we were still living out of state. We made... a few trips to look at properties and Marianne always made the most of the short amount of time we had and helped us cover a lot of ground. She also spent plenty of time on the phone and over email with us educating us on the area and providing fantastic local insights. She is extremely responsive and will track down information for you. She kept us well informed throughout the buying process and helped us learn what to look for as first-time new construction buyers. She also was tremendously helpful in the new construction walk-throughs, pointing out things and asking questions I did not know to ask. I highly recommend Marianne, especially if you are moving to this area from out of state!read more

Marianne proved an invaluable resource in our house hunting endeavors. Her knowledge of the market and the neighborhoods proved to be incredibly helpful, as well, navigating the purchasing process.... read more

emesmer
March 11, 2020
My Wife and I were looking to move to North Carolina from New York. We had no idea who to contact, so we searched the internet, and came across Marianne's... read more

mikejsav100
February 18, 2020
We “found” Marianne Howell Wright online. Her articles and YouTube videos were well done and demonstrated her many years of experience and expertise of the Triangle area. Although... read more

Debbie Bush
January 21, 2020
When we decided to move back to the Triangle, we knew we'd be calling Marianne. We've done three total transactions with her over the past 3 years. Her deep knowledge... read more

Britta Alexander
January 10, 2020
Marianne did a fabulous job as our realtor. It was stressful to be relocating to an unfamiliar, new area from out of town, and Marianne was extremely helpful. She had... read more

jvomsaal
March 15, 2019
Marianne was fantastic, we found her online as she seemed to pop up for every search imaginable for someone looking to relocate to Chapel Hill which spoke to her depth... read more

user6526633
October 22, 2018
Marianne found properties for me to consider that were exactly what I was looking for and provided excellent support throughout the purchasing process. She asked specific questions about the... read more

johnstonc7
August 12, 2018
My husband and I enjoyed watching Marianne’s YouTube videos and wanted to work with her on what we figured would be a simple in-town move. Well, the process turned out... read more

spark007
June 4, 2018
My husband and I had an excellent experience buying our home with Marianne as our Real Estate Agent. She is extremely knowledgeable about real estate in the Triangle Area. She... read more

fanryanyang
April 1, 2018
Marianne and Chip were amazing. We were coming from out of state and met or spoke with various realtors to decide who was best to represent us by truly... read more

tseant77
October 17, 2016

If you’ve bought and sold homes before, you may already understand how buyer’s agents get paid. However, I thought it would be helpful to provide a clear explanation for those who might be uncertain.

Seller-Paid Fee

The seller covers my fee as a buyer’s agent. Here’s how it works:

The seller has a listing contract with a real estate brokerage company, agreeing to pay a fee for selling the house. This fee is negotiable but typically ranges from 5-6% in the Triangle.
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) was created for brokers to share their home listings with other brokers in the network, guaranteeing that agents from different companies would get paid for selling the home.
The MLS is a contractual promise by the listing real estate company to pay the selling company (who brings the buyer) a specified fee. In the Triangle, this is typically 2.4%-3%. The listing company retains the remainder.
My commission is already included in the price of the home, so you don’t save money if you are not represented by a buyer’s agent.

For Sale by Owner (FSBO) Properties

Sellers who sell their home as FSBO will usually pay the buyer’s side of the fee (2.5%-3%). If the FSBO is listed in the MLS (which they usually are), I am guaranteed a fee. If it’s not the going rate, I will inform you before showing the property. If you’re interested in an FSBO that isn’t listed in the MLS, let me know. I’ll arrange an appointment, have the seller agree to pay my fee, and sign a compensation agreement before showing you the home.

No Additional Buyer Fee

Some real estate companies charge a separate buyer-paid fee at the contract stage, usually ranging from $200 to $500. My company does not charge a buyer fee.

Representation for Your Relocation

If you’re relocating to the Triangle and aren’t sure which area, neighborhood, or house is best for you and your family, I can help! If you think I would be a good match for you as a buyer’s agent after watching my videos, feel free to give me a call at (919) 274-4365 or email me.

COPYRIGHT © 2022 Marianne Howell Wright, Triangle Area Real Estate