Saw this in my August 15th AR Newsletter:

"Member Spotlight"

"Mike Jaquish Keller Williams Realty, Cary, NC (Keller Williams Realty)"

"Mike Jaquish is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty in Cary NC, has been an active contributor to our community since November 2006. He is well known for his stunning pictures of local flora and fauna."

"View Member"

All accompanied by my grinning mug.

Thanks, ActiveRain.  I will endeavor to be worthy of the Spotlight.  And to have fun doing it.

Here's to ya!

While having fun photographing neighborhoods in Cary, I like to catch a few images of the neighborhood community ponds, particularly when I can get some light into the fountains that many ponds have.  The ponds are often storm water retention basins, and the fountains serve to oxygenate the water, but I still find them enjoyable, particularly with landscaping surrounding them.

Taylor's Pond, a neighborhood of affordable townhomes:

Park Village, a desirable neighborhood with Town of Cary Parks at either end, and affordable detached homes:

Devereaux, a pretty neighborhood with the pond and fountain beside the swimming pool in the heart of the community:

Coronado Village, affordable homes in the Heart of Cary.  Pond, but no fountain:

Ashley Woods, pretty neighborhood with greenery and a beautiful pond and fountain:

 Riggsbee Farm, Move-up neighborhood with a central pond and fountain:

Wellington Place, with two Ponds:

Wimbledon, Gorgeous neighborhoods sharing a community pond:

Edgehill Farm,with a huge community pond:

Ashley Woods is a neighborhood of 138 homes located in west Cary, NC.

Development of the neighborhood began in 1993 with just over two dozen homes. With more than one builder in the neighborhood there is a variety of home types for everyone. House styles include ranches, and transitional homes with some including basements or walk up attics. The builders include D.R. Horton and David Weekley Homes.

 Homes in Ashley Woods offer 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 full baths, fireplaces, and bonus rooms. The square footage of the homes in this community range from approximately 1650-2500 square feet.

Schools are managed at the county level and school assignments for the Ashley Woods community can be determined through Wake County’s public school website.

Recent homes sales reflect the variety of housing options in Ashley Woods. Recent home sales are in the $245,000-$425,000 range.

Property taxes are approximately .678% of the property’s assessed tax value. Ashley Woods has a Homeowners Association. HOA fees are $200 annually.

Ashley Woods is an excellent choice for those who prefer small neighborhoods and desire a great west Cary location.

Fred G. Bond Park is the largest municipal park in Wake County, NC.

At 310 acres, it includes seven ballparks, several picnic shelters, a 300 seat amphitheatre, trails and greenways, The 16,000 square foot Cary Senior Center, a  29,000 square foot Community Center, a large playground, picnic tables, and a 42 acre lake complete with a boathouse, boat rentals, boat launch, and a deck with screen porch, and rocking chair for relaxing and viewing the lake.

Bond Park is a favorite play area for Cary residents of all ages.  While it is busiest during the summer sports, picnic and fishing seasons, Bond Park hosts many activities all through the year.  Local real estate agents love to mention that their listings ad neighborhoods are very near to this gem of a park.

Seven Ballparks like this:

Kiwanis Picnic Shelter:

Bond Park Community Center:

Boathouse complex views:

There's Bass in those waters!  Lake view at Bond Park:

The lake is popular with amateur fishermen.

Various waterfowl enjoying the shallow end of the lake.

Weatherstone is a mature neighborhood of 200+ move-up homes in Cary.  Weatherstone is accessed from High House Road, east of the intersection with Cary Parkway, or from NW Maynard Road.   Raleigh is a 20 minute drive.  The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about the same.   Heavy drive-time traffic can lengthen either commute.

The neighborhood was developed in the mid/late 1990's by Weatherstone Associates, using several reputable builders.  200+ traditional and transitional homes comprise Weatherstone, with home sizes ranging from 2500 to 3700 square feet. 

Typical amenities include 4 or 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3.5 baths, bonus rooms, separate formal areas, many windows to light the home, .25 to .9 acre lots, 2 car garages, dual-zone HVAC with natural gas heat, and a surburban cul-de-sac street development.  Kids ride bikes in the calm streets.

 5/4 and a door, with class in Weatherstone!

School assignments are among some of the region's finest public schools, and are subject to change by Wake County Public Schools.  Weatherstone Elementary School adjoins the neighborhood.  Click for more information on Wake County School Assignments. 

Weatherstone has a Homeowners Association to maintain common areas, tennis facility, and the community pool.  Current HOA dues are approximately $142.00 per quarter. 

  Community pool and pool house

 Tennis, Anyone?

Home sales currently fall in the $420,000-$525,000 range.  Property taxes are approximately .678% of the property's assessed Tax Value.  More information on Wake County Property Taxes.

Click here to view available homes in Weatherstone.

Easy access to thoroughfares, with schools, parks, dining and shopping centers within walking distance combined with fanciful street names like "Cumulus," "Nimbus," and "Clear Sky" make living in Weatherstone in Cary, NC truly, "Life in the Clouds."

Park Village is a mature community of 600+ homes in Cary, NC.  Park Village is situated on Davis Drive, south of the intersection with High House Road.   Raleigh is a 20 minute drive.  The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about the same.   Drive-time traffic may lengthen commutes.

  Davis Drive entrance sign

The neighborhood was developed in the mid 1990's by Sunstar Homes/Solaris Development Corporation.  Park Village home sizes range from 1300 to 3400 square feet. 

 Park Village Street Scene

Typical amenities include 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 or 2.5 baths, bonus rooms, open floor plans, many windows to light the home, .12 to .22 acre lots, 1 or 2 car garages, natural gas heat, and a surburban cul-de-sac street development. 

School assignments are among the region's top schools, and are subject to change by Wake County Public Schools.  The subdivision is adjacent to the award-winning Davis Drive Elementary and Middle Schools campus.  More information on Wake County Public Schools.

Park Village  has a Homeowners Association to maintain common areas and the community pool and clubhouse.  Current HOA dues are approximately $220.00 semi-annually. 

Home sales currently fall in the $205,000-$300,000 range.  Property taxes are approximately .678% of the property's assessed Tax Value.  More information on Wake County Property Taxes.

Easy living?  Great access to thoroughfares, with adjacent Town of Cary greenways and schools and Cary's White Oak Park and Davis Drive Parks within walking distance make Park Village  one of the most convenient locations in Cary, NC.

Whitebridge is a mature neighborhood of 110 homes in Cary.  Whitebridge is situated on Davis Drive, just south of the intersection with High House Road.   Raleigh is a 20 minute commute.  The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about the same.  Both commutes can vary during heavy drive-time traffic.

The neighborhood was developed in the mid/late 1990's by SAS Institute and Engle Homes.  110 pleasant transitional homes comprise Whitebridge, with home sizes ranging from 2400 to 3800 square feet. 

Typical amenities include 3 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 or 3 baths, bonus rooms, separate formal areas, many windows to light the home, .25 to .55 acre lots, 2 car garages, dual-zone HVAC with natural gas heat, and a surburban cul-de-sac street development.  Kids play in the quiet streets.

School assignments are among some of the region's top schools, and are subject to change by Wake County Public Schools.  More information on Wake County Public Schools.

Whitebridge has a Homeowners Association to maintain common areas and the community pool.  Current HOA dues are approximately $480.00 per year.

Recently, home sales have fallen in the $350,000-$460,000 range.  Property taxes are approximately .678% of the property's assessed Tax Value.  More information on Wake County Property Taxes.

Great access to thoroughfares, with schools, parks, and shopping centers within walking distance combine to make Whitebridge one of the most desirable locations in Cary, NC.

Giverny is a pleasant and mature neighborhood of 92 homes off the Cary Parkway. Giverny is nestled in between Bishop's Gate subdivision and Gralyn neighborhood of MacArthur Park. Access to the neighborhood is through Gralyn.

Raleigh is a 20 minute commute. The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about the same. Both commutes can vary during heavy drive-time traffic.

The neighborhood was developed in the early/mid 1990's by New Fortis Homes, now KHovnanian. Ninety-two pleasant transitional homes comprise Giverny, with home sizes ranging from 2000 to 3300 square feet.

Typical amenities include two story family rooms, 3 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 or 3 baths, separate formal areas, many windows to light the home, .25 to .4 acre lots, 2 car garages, dual-zone HVAC with natural gas heat, and a surburban cul-de-sac street development. Kids play in the quiet streets.

School assignments are among some of the region's top schools, and are subject to change by Wake County Public Schools. More information on Wake County Public Schools.

Giverny does not have a Homeowners Association. There are no HOA dues.

Recent home sales have fallen in the $260,000-$400,000 range. Property taxes are approximately .678% of the property's assessed Tax Value. More information on Wake County property taxes.

These attributes and a great location tucked off main thoroughfares combine to make Giverny truly Cary's "Best Kept Secret."

An evening hour spent cruising neighborhoods and capturing images is relaxing to me.  I enjoy looking at landscaping, mature trees, and community amenities.

And even though I know my way into neighborhoods in my home area, that is not the same as driving the streets and culdesacs.

The other evening, I took a ride through several suburban Cary and Apex neighborhoods, and the warm evening sun lit the homes up and made them seem so inviting.

Brookstone, Cary, NC:

Tatton Place, Cary, NC:

Devereaux, Cary, NC:

Charleston Village, Apex, NC:

Montclair, Apex, NC:

Sutton Place, Apex, NC:

St. James Village, Apex, NC

Montclair is a small neighborhood of single family homes in northeast Apex. The community is close in proximity to NC 55, Davis Drive, US 64 and downtown Apex.

Montclair's location makes it one of several neighborhoods in the area that provides easy access for commuting on nearby major routes. Several shopping and dining options are available at the Beaver Creek shopping centers located off of NC 55. Just a few minutes away at Stone Creek Village, off Davis Drive in Cary are more shopping and dining options. And don’t miss the quaint shops and eateries nearby in historic downtown Apex.

Montclair was developed from the late 1990’s by Fortis Homes. Homes in Montclair typically include 4-5 bedrooms, 2-3 full baths, fireplaces, and lots that are approximately ¼ of an acre. The square footage of the homes in this community range from approximately 2600-3700 square feet.

Recent home sales in Montclair have ranged between $290,000 and $410,000. Click here to view currently available homes in Montclair.

Montclair Homeowners Association dues are approximately $190 yearly and are used to support maintenance of common areas and administration of the HOA.

Schools are managed at the county level, including school assignments. Click here to view Wake County School assignments by student address.

Wake County Real Estate taxes are based on 2008 tax value assessments, which are loosely linked to market value at the time of reassessment. Click here to see Wake County Property Tax Rates, for the county and all towns and cities.

Montclair is an excellent choice for those that desire a plenty of square footage on a spacious lot in a great northeast Apex location.