I’ve just added a link to the website of the Hope Valley Neighborhood Association to the “blogroll” on the left sidebar of this site. Don Stanger, the current president of the association informs me that there are some upgrades to the site in the works that will include over 100 pictures which have been taken to support the neighborhood’s application for National Historic Register status. The current homepage has links to two stories in the News and Observer written by Durham journalist/historian Jim Wise about the history of Hope Valley and current efforts to preserve and document this history. One of the stories has a fabulous anecdote about a couple that recently relocated from San Francisco and why they bought a home in Hope Valley. I urge anyone interested to read the story themselves. What I found very interesting was that they intended to tear down the 50’s colonial on the lot and build one more suitable to their lifestyle but compatible to the surroundings. The point is they bought the neighborhood not the “shelter” represented by the old house. It would be interesting to know how this couple learned about Hope Valley but I’d be surprised if it was from a buyer agent located in Wake or Orange counties where almost 20 times the number of luxury homes were sold than there were in Durham.  Because there are so many agents in these two markets it makes sense that they would get the biggest share of potential buyers, especially those who haven’t already indicated a community preference. The Durham Luxury Real Estate Report available from a link in the left sidebar details why these less tangible benefits must be communicated in the marketing materials for any luxury home on the market along with reasons why the agents should show homes in Durham.

Of course, it’s historical significance isn’t the only thing that makes Hope Valley attractive.  Ironically, according to Jim Wise it was originally placed where it is to be beyond the trolley line to discourage those without automobiles from moving there. Now, of course, it is very convenient to the major employment centers and the best shopping in the Triangle. The existance of an active and involved neighborhood association also says a lot positive about the community. And then there’s the Hope Valley Country Club…but more about that in another post.