CARY NC - Is the High School District a Key Factor in the Buying Decision?  YES!!!!

 

"Housing located in the Panther Creek and Green Hope High School districts still has the largest market share of the closings at 49%, the same as last year.

 Housing in the Athens/Cary districts has a 29% share and housing in the Apex High School district has a 19% share.

The supply of housing is 4 months in Panther Creek/Green Hope, 5 months in Athens/Cary and 6 months in Apex. Each of these supply numbers are below the levels seen in the Triangle and in the United States"

According to TARReport December 2011

 

This is not news to those of us who reside in the area.  We know we have excellent sought-after High Schools in Cary NC because our children attend these schools. 

 Are just the high schools excellent in Cary NC? 

 Of course not, here's my theory as a former Wake County teacher, if you have a great high school the elementary schools and middle schools that filter in those high schools must be excellent as well.

For this reason Panther Creek and Green Hope Have become the top schools of CHOICE.

My children went these very schools and are now enjoying very successful college careers.

 

  

View Wake County High Schools Of CHOICE in a larger map <

 

 CARY NC - Is the High School District a Key factor in the Buying Decision?  YES!!!  was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a Blog by Linda Lohman

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Wake County School Choice Plan

What is Wake County School Choice Plan?  In short it is no longer a rumor it is a reality.  Wake County School Superintendent Tony Tata has made his plan a reality.  Even the squabbling of the Democratic and Republican factions within the School Board sound not stop Superintendent Tata's Choice Plan.

Basically when a child is registered for school parent have a choice of which school....kind of.

    Here's how it works:

•  Enter your address in the Student Assignment Finder
• A chart with your option will pop up.
• 5 Elementary Schools
• 2 Middle Schools
• 2 High Schools
• Familiarize yourself with the schools within your choice plan.
• Register your child for your school of choice.

So yes, your "choices" are limited.  You must pick a school within your option list. However, you may pick a Magnet School that is not on your list.  

This simplistic plan listed above is for the Newcomer, new to the area.  If you are currently enrolled in Wake County Schools it get a bit sticky.  More blogs to come....

Wake County School Choice Plan was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a blog by Linda Lohman

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• a former teacher that knows the schools system
  
• has lived in the area for over 15 years
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CARY NC Swine Arrested for Hogging Highway!

You can't make this stuff up! 

During morning rush hour five pigs were loose at the very busy highway intersection of I-40 and I-540.  The Highway Patrol was called and a foot chase took place until the culprits were all apprehended.

The situation was made worst by a hard driving rain.  The dedicated deputies had a difficult job trying to capture thier fugitives as well as keep them from harm from oncoming traffic. 

No mention of were the pigs originated.  If no one comes forward to claim the pigs they will be put up for auction.

"No honey, I realize you're a Vet student but you can't have a pet pig!"

CARY NC Swine Arrested for Hogging Highway! was first Published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com a blog by LindaLohman

Things To Do In CARY NC?

Things to do in CARY NC?  While visiting Cary NC I'm often asked what should we do?  Where do I start?  

We  have an amazing park system with boat rentals, walking trails, a dog park, even a SK8 park (that's "skate" for those of us over 40)

When you're done with all that exercise you'll need some refreshments.  You will be thanking yourself for stopping at Goodberry's!  Goodberry's is Cary's own creation.  A frozen custard where you hand pick the topping.  Yummy!!!

Need a midafternoon lift?  Crema Coffee is your answer.  Kevin and Regina are true baristers who know coffee.  They import, roast and grind coffee to perfection. Its like nothing you've ever tasted.  Take some home too.

Below is a list of other events ad place you won't eant to miss while visiting Cary NC:

Cary Christmas Parade

Visit the Mountains

Noodles & Company

Adore Designer Resale

Cary Lazy Daze

 

 

Are you looking for a REALTOR that is:

• a former teacher that knows the schools system
  
• has lived in the area for over 15 years
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Things To Do In Cary NC  was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com a blog by Linda Lohman

Cary NC  Western Cary Farmer's Market at Carpenter Village

Cary NC Western Cary Farmer's Market at Carpenter Village is a Saturday morning event.  Just after dawn the tents are up and the shoppers are ready for fresh fruit, vegetables, and seafood.

 I will tell you I was surprised to see the seafood, fresh shrimp and numerous varieties of fish.

The vendors are family farmers from the Western Cary and the fruits and vegetables are very fresh.  I bought a container of huge peaches that were absolutely succulent.  The idea of a Farmer's Market really builds community.  You may pay a bit more however the quality and freshness is undeniable.  The Western Cary Farmer's Market is located just inside of the Carpenter Village community off Morrisville-Carpenter Road.

Make it a date this Saturday and stop by the Western Cary Farmer's Market at Carpenter Village, you're family will thank you!

View Carpenter Village Cary NC in a larger map





For a Showing of any Cary NC Carpenter Village home:  Call Linda @ 919-454-6720

 

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Cary NC Western Cary Farmer's Market at Carpenter Village was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a blog by Linda Lohman

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Top Parks in the Cary NC Area, No Ordinary Parks!

Top parks in the Cary NC, no ordinary parks! Cary is a very family-oriented area that  believes in community.  For that reason they have set aside plenty of green space for parks.  Some are of the unusual nature.

Cary's Dog Park- Yes, its a park dedicated to dogs.  Ok the owners are welcome too.  The fascinating part of the Cary Dog Park is the attention to detail.  Painted firehydrants with doggie portraits, benches, walking paths, leash hooks, plenty of bags for you know what, and lots of humans.

 

 

Cary's SK8 Park - Translation, Cary Skate Park, for those of us over 40.  Hold on to your stomach as daredevils of all ages zoom up and down the steep ramps.  Teen boys are the largest fixtures at this park, nest to nervous Moms.  I found it hard to watch the death defying tricks of Cary's SK8-ers.

 Bond Lake Park - Is Cary's premier parks!  Bond Lake Park is the home of the Cary Senior Center, one of Cary's community centers, and an amplitheter.
Those amenities plus softball, soccer, football field are just the beginning of what makes Bond Park so special.  They also have boat rentals; paddle boats and canoes.   Kids come daily to the enourmous jungle gym locted right in the center of all this action.  Cary's Bond Lake Park is also the home of Spring Daze Annual Art Festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When visiting Cary be sure to llok up one of these not so ordinary parks.

 

Are you looking for a REALTOR that is:

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Top Parks in the Cary NC Area, No Ordinary Parks!  was first published on Cary RealEstateBlogger.com - a blog by Linda Lohman

CARY NC   Waverly Place Renovations Have Begun

CARY NC Waverly Place renovations have begun.  Like most older properties in the area Waverly Place is getting some much needed updates.  This shopping space at the corner of Tryon Rd and Kildaire Farm Rd was built in the mid '80s and the style reflects it.  

It's time for a much needed face-lift to attract today's businesses that are flocking to Cary NC.

Below is an artists rendering of the much anticipated improvements.

Improvement include:

• Demolishion and renovating existing buildings 
• A 24,170-square-foot entertainment arena  movie theater/ music hall.
• 80 luxury condos & 150 apartments
• 170,000 square feet of office space.
• 10 % more retail space
• New Whole Foods store
• A 150-room hotel.
• A 600-car underground parking garage
• And of course more retail!

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 CARY NC  Waverly Place Renovaions Have Begun  was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a blog by Linda Lohman

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CARY NC Neighborhood Swim Teams

A phenomenon in our friendly, family-oriented area is the competition of the Cary NC neighborhood swim teams.

Every spring,
no matter the temperature,
    no matter the school schedule,
        no matter the age of the kids.....the competition begins. 



 Neighborhoods around the Cary area announce its time for swim team.  Kids by the hundreds don their matching suits and begin the endless daily practices. Swimmers begin, in many cases, before they can even be called swimmers.  Generally if they can jump in, make forward movement, of any kind, they are in!  The coaches will take care of the rest later.   This ritual is repeated throughout the Town of Cary preparing for the first of six meets.  

The first Tuesday evening in June the competition begins for the Cary NC neighborhood swim teams.  Hundreds of kids, parents,and  grand-parents gather on the pool deck of the hosting team for 4 hours of continuous swimming.

Of course, the best part for the kids, mine included who swam for Wellsley, is the socialization, and snacks, and snacks, and more snacks!

Each team stakes out space on opposite sides of the pool, mark their territory with beach towels, compare snacks of course, and number the kids according to heat and rank.  Yes, the kids are numbered on each shoulder with black permanent market.  Swimmers are called by that number to swim their particular heat.  

 

 

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Cary NC Neighborhood Swim Teams was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.co

 

When Real Estate is Slow in Cary NC I Turn to HOOKING!

When Real Estate is slow in Cary NC I turn to hooking! With the kids off to college I find the late afternoons, that used to be filled with kid activities, now offer free time.  That's right I turned to hooking.  It gives me a creative outlet, keeps me occupied, and is relaxing.

I was talking about Rug Hooking.  Not, Latch Hook Rugs that you find in the craft stores.  I'm talking about the textile art form that started generations ago as a way to use up wool scraps.

Today the art is practiced by people all over the country in Rug Hooking Guilds that meet on a regular basis to share techniques and tricks.

I began with a group in Cary NC about the year 2000 when my neighbor got me "hooked".  Lot of puns available.  Below are just two of many projects:

Here's how it works:

• A basic design outline is drawn on a loose weave fabric called monks cloth or burlap.  
• Wool is dyed in kettles with high end color-safe dyes.
  • Dying techniques are innumerable and actually fun if you can get past the smell of wet wool and vinegar.
• Wool is hand cut in various size strips, depending on the design.  
  • The strips are generally 3-6 centimeters.  The more intricate  the design the smaller the cut.
  • Cutters are a must.  The wool is fed through the cutter, generally cutting 3-4 strips at a time.
• The backing is stretched over a frame so its taunt.  Much like a cross stitcher's loop.
• The strips of wool are looped through the backing using a hook.
• That's the general principal.

 

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When Real Estate is Slow in Cary NC I Turn to HOOKING! was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a blog by Linda Lohman

Being a former teacher I receive numerous questions, like the one below, asking about Wake County Public Schools.

From: Mark
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2009 7:12 PM
To: Lohman, Linda
Subject: RE: Cary home

 Hi Linda,

 We are focused specifically on Davis Drive Middle School and Green Hope HS.  As a former teacher any information you can provide for us concerning Wake County Schools would be greatly appreciated.

Mark

Wake County Public Schools What You Need to Know When Moving to Cary NC

Wake County Public Schools what you need to know when moving to Cary NC is the school system that services our real estate market is a county system, even though many refer to the schools by the city in which they reside.

 In Wake County Public Schools you have several school choices:

•  Traditional:   This is just what it sounds like, a traditional school calendar that begins in late August and ends in mid-June. Student attend schools for 180 days with holidays and teacher work days off .

•  Magnet:  Magnet schools in the Wake County Public Schools were designed to "attract" students to schools that have lost their base population due to population shifts.  These schools provide specialized programs in Math, Science, the Arts, etc.  They are usually located inside the beltline area of Raleigh.  Buses are provided by the county.  For example, Enloe High School, a magnet school, is one of the top performing high schools in the nation. 

•  Year-Round:   Year-round schools are a concept the that Wake County Public Schools borrowed from states like Florida and Texas.  The premise is that a third more students will be educated each year with this calendar.  It generally works like this; 9 weeks in school, 3 weeks off.  The exception is for winter and spring breaks when students may have off as long as 4 weeks. Students in Cary NC and surrounding areas are in attendance for 180 dasys just like traditional students.  Their calendar year runs from July to July. For example, if a student enters as a first grader in July 2008, he will then become a second grader in July 2009.

Which is preferred?  

As with most real estate questions the answer is....depends.   Some families prefer traditional because it's familiar.  Others enjoy the year-round option because they can go to Disney World in February and beat the crowds and makes after school options easier.  Magnet schools offer an outlet for those students wanting an extra challenge or specialized program.

Which model has the best test scores? 

The school model makes no difference in the test scores.

Where are the best schools? 

The best schools seem to be in the Cary area. WHY?  That issue can be debated.  My humble opinion as a former teacher is Cary NC schools are supported by its parents, parent participation!  Cary residents for the most part recognize a comfortable living and therefore have the time and means to give to the schools.  Parents demand quality schools for their children and work in partnership with the schools at all levels to accomplish this goal. 

Define the Cary Area? 

Areas surrounding Cary, close proximity to Research Triangle Park, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs.

How do I find the best school in the Wake County Schools for my family? 

I first recommend hiring a real estate agent that knows the school system.  It makes a difference! (That would be me.) Secondly, I search by high school.  For example, if I have clients that want to live in a particular part of Cary and want "good schools" I search by high school.  If you have a great high school the middle schools and elementary schools that feed them must be pretty good themselves.  Follow the logic?

Will I be redistricted? 

Depends.  Here is the general thought on redistricting.  If you move to an established area the chances are less that that Wake County Public Schools will redistrict you.  If you move to a new area with lots of growth, new homes, orange barrels in the road, construction trailers, men wearing hard hats in the street, the chances are higher.  With population growth come new schools.  With new schools come filling those schools and shuffling students.  Minor redistricting occurs when elementary schools open, more with middle schools openings, and you guessed it...major movement when a high school opens.  In Cary, Panther Creek High School opened in 2005.  That was the last major shuffle.  None on the horizon in the Wake County Public Schools.

 As a former teacher in the Wake County Public Schools -What You Need to Know When Moving to Cary NC is just some of the school information and information about Cary NC I provide in my blog on a regular basis.

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 Wake County Public Schools What You Need to Know When Moving to Cary NC was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com a blog by Linda Lohman

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