A New Park for Hillsborough

Hillsborough is getting a new park, Blackwood Farm Park, which is not quite like other parks.  No kinds of ball fields here but there is the opportunity to explore biddie house, the wood barns and all the other buildings that make up a farm.  In addition to sitting on the porch you can walk the trails and look at what it might have been 250 years ago.  Just ignore the I-40 noise.
The land was bought by Orange County in 2001 when the heirs sold the land.  Many of the extended Blackwood family were on hand for the opening of the park. They shared stories of the time at the old farmhouse and are glad it is has not been forgotten.

Cuts in school class size worries Cary, NC school officials

Proposed cuts in the North Carolina state budget for school class sizes has Cary school officials worried.  The idea sounds great on paper.  Adding 2,000 teachers state wide would reduce the class size by one student.  That doesn't sound like much but for Wake County that means an additional 145 class room spaces or four schools at $23 million apiece.  That is a lot of new schools.  Of course that really isn't how life works but there would be some new schools having to be built.  Mostly I think more portables would be brought in.
In addition over 5,000 teachers aid positions would be eliminated.  The positions are immensely helpful to teachers not to legislatures.  Let your representatives know where you stand on these issues.

106 Village Ct Garner, NC

$209,995, 3Bd/2Ba Single Family House, 1850 sqft.

Gene Allen | Fathom Realty | 919-473-9068gene@geneallen.realtor | 106 Village Ct, Garner, NC 27529 Lynnfield Village 3Bd/2Ba Single Family House $209,995 Year Built 1986 Sq Footage 1850 sqft. Bedrooms 3 Beds Bathrooms 2 Baths Floors 2 Parking 2 Garage Laundry In Unit Lot Size 0.93 Acres DESCRIPTION Great home on private cul-de-sac lot. Lot of updates including beautiful sun room/family room with vaulted ceilings and lots of windows! Kitchen has granite counter tops, updated cabinets, updated appliances and flooring. The large 2 car garage is finished with a bonus space upstairs! Outside are 5 Large Blueberry bushes & a Magnolia Tree! Invisible fence, 40 year roof, newer heat pump. Great location close to highways and shopping & dining. Garner see additional photos below Unit Features - Living room - Dining room - Walk-in closet - Master bath - Family room - Recreation room - Sun room - Range / Oven - Refrigerator - Dishwasher - Garbage disposal - Stainless steel appliances - Heat: forced air - Central A/C - Cable-ready - High / Vaulted ceiling Community Features - Garage - Detached ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Large Sunroom Nice fireplace Master Bedroo Bed 2 Bed 3 Room over Garage Contact info: Gene Allen Fathom Realty 919-473-9068 gene@geneallen.realtor For sale by Agent/Broker Posted: Jun 24, 2015, 1:28pm EDT

Raleigh's Affordable Housing Plan Moving Along

The city of Raleigh is looking at putting upwards of $20 million into proposals to entice developers to build housing that have lower rents and prices then normal as part of its affordability programs. The program dovetails what the federal government wants to do by putting the limited rent housing and houses in areas of the city that are not primarily low income. The city would like this housing around proposed transit stations, areas with revitalization plans or downtown. Some the incentives could include loans to groups like Habitat for Humanity or forgivable loans to for the rehabilitation of homes in fast developing areas of the city. East College Park is scheduled for improvements to utility lines and other infrastructure and the city may sell government owned residential lots for the development of new housing. The $20 million was part of bonds sale in 2011 but has yet to be used for its intended purpose. In the long run Raleigh needs to come up with a more permanent source of funds for the programs.

Plywood or Plastic in Durham, NC for Abandoned Homes

It looks like plastic has taken the place of plywood for abandoned homes in Durham, NC. When a home is abandoned for a period of time the windows usually take a beating in more ways then one. Often times the home becomes a place to gathering for drug dealers and such. To keep that from happening houses are frequently boarded up. When plywood is used the look is well rather abandoned. When clear plastic is used the house looks more natural but is still secure. You can see what is going on behind the windows as well. The product Durham uses is a thick polycarbonate that is break resistant and is used in more then 10 other cities across the state. No statistics from Durham Police yet on whether it deters crime but it is certainly a better look for the community.

104 Graylyn Dr Chapel Hill, NC

$710,000, 4Bd/4.5Ba Single Family House, 3715 sqft.

Gene Allen | Fathom Realty | 919-473-9068gene@geneallen.realtor | 104 Graylyn Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Southern Village 4Bd/4.5Ba Single Family House $710,000 Year Built 2000 Sq Footage 3715 sqft. Bedrooms 4 Beds Bathrooms 4.5 Baths Floors 3 Parking 2 Garage Laundry In Unit Lot Size 9148 Square Feet HOA/Maint $245 DESCRIPTION Elegant home in desirable Graylyn/Aberdeen section of Southern Village. Features include a walk-out basement & a level, partially fenced-in back yard. Main floor features hardwood floors throughout, new granite counters tops with tile back splash, transom window. Huge family room with dramatic arches, & separate dining & living rooms. There are four large bedrooms upstairs including master suite w/ new hardwood floors. There is a guest bedroom with its own full bath, & two other bedrooms share Jack-n-Jill bath. Basement includes large recreation/media room, office & full bath. Chapel Hill see additional photos below Unit Features - Living room - Dining room - Walk-in closet - Master bath - Family room - Storage space - Breakfast nook - Office - Basement - Recreation room - Attic - Range / Oven - Refrigerator - Dishwasher - Microwave - Garbage disposal - Stainless steel appliances - Heat: forced air - Central A/C - Air conditioning - Ceiling fans - Cable-ready - Hardwood floor - Tile floor - Granite countertop - Fireplace - Jetted tub Community Features - Shared pool - Garage - Attached ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Granite Countertops Full bath here also Jetted tub Has own bath Contact info: Gene Allen Fathom Realty 919-473-9068 gene@geneallen.realtor For sale by Agent/Broker Posted: Jun 15, 2015, 12:26pm EDT

11701 Coppergate Dr Raleigh NC

$125,000, 3Bd/2Ba Townhouse, 1750 sqft.

Gene Allen | Fathom Realty | 919-473-9068gene@geneallen.realtor | 11701 Coppergate Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614 Wakefield, NC 3Bd/2Ba Townhouse $125,000 Year Built 2008 Sq Footage 1750 sqft. Bedrooms 3 Beds Bathrooms 2 Baths Floors 3 Parking 2 Other Laundry In Unit Lot Size 871 Square Feet HOA/Maint $440 Website www.viewlisting.i... DESCRIPTION Welcome home to your Tri-level town home in Wakefield! Great floor plan with 2 bedrooms and laundry on level 2 and on the entire 3rd level is a spacious master bedroom/bath retreat w/cathedral ceiling! Master bath offers tub with separate shower & double vanity sinks. White picket fence entry. Convenient to Triangle Town Center Mall shopping, restaurants and Hwy 540 access! Community pool for your summer enjoyment! :) Shows great! Raleigh see additional photos below Unit Features - Living room - Dining room - Master bath - Range / Oven - Refrigerator - Dishwasher - Garbage disposal - Stainless steel appliances - Heat: forced air - Central A/C - Cable-ready - Fireplace Community Features - Shared pool - Guest parking ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Contact info: Gene Allen Fathom Realty 919-473-9068 gene@geneallen.realtor For sale by Agent/Broker Posted: Jun 15, 2015, 11:28am EDT