Briar Chapel, a Chapel Hill NC Neighborhood

Homes for sale in Briar Chapel 

Introduction to Briar Chapel

Briar Chapel- a Favorite Triangle Neighborhood

One of my favorite neighborhoods, Briar Chapel, is a very social community in Chapel Hill, Chatham County, NC. Known for its landscaping, trees, and eco-friendly homes, this neighborhood offers a unique mix of home styles by several local builders and natural charm. Just 15 minutes from downtown Chapel Hill, it features many housing options from townhomes to luxury single-family homes. My clients love the family friendly amenities including saltwater pools, 19 miles of mountain bike and walking trails, Sports Park, and various recreational parks. With excellent schools in the neighborhood and a focus on green building standards, Briar Chapel is an great choice for those seeking an active, friendly lifestyle in the Triangle area.

Briar Chapel Pricing: Understanding the 2023 Market

Range of Prices and Influencing Factors

Clients often ask me why there is such a differences in the prices per square foot in Briar Chapel. The reasons depend on the builder and included standard and upgraded features, lot size and location in the neighborhood, and amount of customization the buyer could do when building the house. More about this below.

In 2023, Briar Chapel’s many housing options were reflected in a wide range of prices. The neighborhood sold the last of new construction single family homes in 2023. The average sales price of all homes sold was approximately $600,000, with homes varying from $386,000 to $1,489,000. This price range accommodates a broad spectrum of buyers, from those seeking more modest homes to those looking for luxury properties.

Price Per Square Foot

Prices per square foot in Briar Chapel ranged from around $180 to over $375. This significant variation indicates the diversity in home sizes and styles within the community.

Lot Size and Premiums

A key factor in pricing is the size and type of the lot. The developer, Newland, specified the width of the lot determined the size of the house, with wider lots allowing for larger homes. Additionally, some homes were situated on premium lots, commanding higher prices due to their desirable location or larger size.

Garage Types and Access

The type of garage and its access also played a role in pricing. Some homes featured detached garages with alley entries, which could affect the overall price of the property. These architectural details and property layouts contributed to the diverse pricing structure in Briar Chapel and is part of the appeal and charm of the neighborhood.

Customization and Builder Influence

The original pricing was heavily influenced by the builder and the extent of customization available. Each builder had their own pricing strategy and included features, making it essential to understand who built the house and the pricing at the time of its construction to fully grasp the value of a home in this neighborhood.

A Community in Transition

Briar Chapel has undergone significant changes since its grand opening. Initially launched in September 2008, this community has shifted from new home sales to predominantly resale homes on the market. A look back at my first Briar Chapel video from 2010 highlights just how much the neighborhood has changed. You may want to take a look at all of my past Briar Chapel videos to see the changes.

A Growing Community

Spanning nearly 1600 acres, Briar Chapel is designed to house approximately 2400 residences, including a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments, along with 900 acres of open space. While the single-family home section is nearly sold out, with only a few homes over one million dollars remaining, the neighborhood continues to expand and diversify.

The Current State of Development

As the neighborhood nears completion, the availability of new homes has significantly decreased, with most properties being sold before they’re even built or fully finished. Reflecting this shift, the information center has recently closed, with the developer moving on to new projects. This transition marks a new phase for Briar Chapel, as it steadily grows into a well-established and thriving community.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2024 and beyond, the focus shifts to the growing resale market. The neighborhood’s proximity to downtown Chapel Hill, just a 15-minute drive down Hwy 15-501, continues to make it an attractive option for many.

The video below is about the commercial area at the entrance of the neighborhood. Some of the restaurants have changed over the years but it is great and very busy. There is also a new Food Lion.

Several things set the Briar Chapel neighborhood apart from others.

Pros:

Scenic Parkway: The neighborhood boasts a 2-mile Briar Chapel Parkway, surrounded by woods and trails, free from housing development.

• Prime Location: Just 15 minutes from Chapel Hill and Franklin Street and artsy Carrboro, Briar Chapel offers a rare opportunity for new home inventory in this area.

• Affordable Pricing: Despite price increases since its inception, Briar Chapel remains the most cost-effective option for newer homes in this part of the Triangle.
• Diverse Builders: The neighborhood features five builders, ranging from national and regional to small custom ones, with prices from the low 400’s to 1.4.
• Green Building Standards: All homes and amenities in Briar Chapel meet the minimum Bronze level of the National Green Building Standard (NGBS), ensuring eco-friendly living.
• Exceptional Amenities: The community includes saltwater pools, a large water slide, trails, parks, a clubhouse with an activities director, and various events.
• Schools: The neighborhood houses Primrose preschool, elementary, middle, and charter schools.
• Demographic Diversity: Due to the varied home styles and prices, the community attracts a wide range of demographics.
• Shopping: There are 3 grocery Stores within a mile of the 3 entrances to the neighborhood.
• Restaurants: In Veranda, at the main entrance there are four restaurants and several around the neighborhood and with Chapel Hill so close the possibilities are many.
• Construction is complete: Yay!! we can drive down the streets without construction noise or trucks lining the street.

Potential Cons of Living in Briar Chapel

While Briar Chapel has many pros, there are a few cons to consider:

• Transportation: The area is not really walkable. While nearby shopping and dining are accessible by bike or walking, it’s a couple of miles down the trails. A car is necessary for most activities.
• Grocery Accessibility: It’s a 15-20 minute drive to Whole Foods, though Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods and Food Lion are closer, about a mile from the entrances.
• Lot Size: Many lots are small, which might not appeal to everyone, despite some backing onto woods.
• Power Lines: 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.
• Public Transport: The lack of public transportation could be a drawback for some, with the nearest park and ride 10 minutes away.
• Developing Areas: Newly developed sections may appear bare, but the landscape is quickly evolving.
• No new homes:  That’s a big downside for many who are going on down the road to Chatham Park in Pittsboro to find new construction.

Location and Accessibility

Briar Chapel, located in Chatham County (with a Chapel Hill address), is approximately 7 miles and a straight shot down 15-501 from UNC Chapel Hill. It offers a quick commute via a 4-lane road. The neighborhood’s new home prices are competitive, and its well-maintained amenities add to its appeal.

Commuting Distances

• UNC Chapel Hill: 8 miles
• Duke University: 20 miles
• RDU Airport: 25 miles
• Raleigh: 40-45 minutes

• 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!

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.

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

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

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.

Retire to the Triangle

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 $500,000 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.

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

Briar Chapel