The Ponds Community in Summerville
June 25, 2008
“Nature. Nurture. Neighborhood,” is the motto for The Ponds Summerville, SC community. And though it’s 25 miles inland from it’s fast-growing neighbor of Charleston, “lowcountry” is the theme – something the developers are trying to reflect in architectural style, old-growth preservation and community attitude.
Almost half of the development’s land is dedicated to amenities including a 1,100-acre nature preserve, with a 20-acre lake. Other amenities are to include a multi-purpose sports field, 21 miles of trails, swimming pools, parks, playgrounds and an outdoor pavilion. The Summerville Family YMCA is also within The Ponds development. A non-profit conservancy, with homeowner members, will be set up to act as a steward for the nature and “quality of life” of the community.
The Ponds has 1,950 homesites on 2000 acres. To keep aesthetics and quality consistent, a design board reviews home plans and tends to favor Southern Colonial, Victorian, Arts & Craft and Cape Cod-styles. Homes are mainly single-family or townhomes with a number of planned live/work units. Architectural details include Southern-style porches and masonry fireplaces. Currently, five Charleston builders work in The Ponds.
Greenwood Communities and Resorts began development of The Ponds in 2006. Roads are already paved and the sewer system is in. Also, many of the amenities are already built, giving home buyers a tangible sense of value and community. While project completion is planned for 12 to 15 years, some homeowners have already moved in and at least one section of the development has already sold out.
Homes start in the low $300’s.
A June of 2008 sampling of homes from The Ponds web site:
3-bed, 2-bath with 1665 sq. feet — $345,000
3-bed, 3 bath with 2706 sq. feet — $538,690
4-bed, 2.5 bath with 2521 sq. feet — $379,900
4-bed, 2.5 bath with 2785 sq. feet — $469,000
5-bed, 3 bath with 2700 sq. feet — $424,900
The Settings of Black Mountain
June 8, 2008
If you are looking for a lush mountain setting with easy access to a real city, The Settings of Black Mountain, may be an option.
The Settings is located just 15 minutes outside of downtown Asheville, a popular destination because of its mountain setting, seasonable temperatures and its culture that blends Appalachian charm with the spirit of an arts colony.
While the gated community appears deep in the mountains, offering views of the Seven Sisters and Pisgah National Forest, it is actually part of the city of Asheville so residents can benefit from city utilities and services.
The Settings was developed by the Atlanta-based The Settings Development Companies, LLC, a company that strives to utilize the natural beauty of an area in its developments.
According to the project web site, more than 40 percent of the 364 acres is undisturbed green space. To help residents enjoy the natural setting, a series of nature trails, both developed and primitive, wind through the community.
Other amenities include a clubhouse and pool over looking the Blue Ridge Mountains, a kid’s playground, and a stocked trout pond. More amenities are planned as the community develops.
While The Settings does not have a golf course, world-class golf is minutes away, as is shopping, and more rugged outdoor adventures such as whitewater rafting.
Homesites begin in the high $100s with home styles ranging from cottages to larger homes. Featured sites include .25 acres near the clubhouse ($200+) and almost two acres near a mountainous green space for around $460.
Pine Ridge Plantation in Edgefield South Carolina
April 28, 2008
Pine Ridge Plantation is a golf community near Aiken SC and Augusta GA. Pine Ridge is situated in the town of Edgefield, South Carolina.
Very reasonably priced homes (from the $200’s) and homesites (from the $40’s). In addition to golf the community has a fully equipped clubhouse, tennis courts, and swimming pool.
Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort in Calabash North Carolina
April 28, 2008
Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort is located in Calabash North Carolina, just minutes from Myrtle Beach.
Community amenities include indoor/outdoor pools, tennis, exercise spa, as well as a wide variety of active clubs and classes. Residents also have access to Brunswick House, which includes a reading room, card room, indoor swimming pools, sauna and more.
Brunswick has a 27-hole golf course, but there are hundreds more courses a short distance away in Myrtle Beach, so you would likely never be able to play them all.
There is currently a preview package available, rates vary based on the time of year.
Grand Harbour Golf and Yacht Club Greenwood South Carolina
April 27, 2008
Grand Harbour Golf and Yacht Club in Greenwood South Carolina is a gated community that offers 1/4 to 1-acre homesites. Lake Greenwood is an 11,000 acre lake and the community has numerous boat-slips in their marina.
Once the development is complete their will be a “Grand Harbour Yacht Club” to enjoy. Other amenities include a pool complex, a tennis center, fitness facilities, and The Patriot Golf Club a Davis Love III signature course.
“Named to reflect the Revolutionary War history of the neighboring town of Ninety Six, South Carolina, The Patriot Golf Course at Grand Harbor is not only an 18- hole Davis Love III Signature Course, but also a reminder of the heritage of the area. At the epicenter of the course is a magnificent earthen star fort surrounded by moats and underground cartpath tunnels of antique brick. The Fort’s ruins, gun turrets and other unique design features memorialize the historical importance of the area.”
Sounds like a neat course. Putting it on my must play list for sure. Another great feature about the community is that it seems pretty affordable. Lot prices start in the $90,000’s.
Brunswick Forest Community in Wilmington North Carolina
April 27, 2008
Brunswick Forest is an 4,500 acre community just minutes from downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.
18 of the planned 27 holes of golf are scheduled to open in Spring 2009. The Cape Fear National Course is a Tim Cate design.
Brunswick offers several neighborhoods with homes ranging from Towhomes, Patio Homes, and Golf Course Estates.
Other amenities include a River Club, an Ocean Club, a community garden, and a fitness center with tennis, swimming pool, exercise facilities, and more.
First Ever HGTV Green Home in Tradition Hilton Head
April 27, 2008
HGTV, the popular home and garden television channel is building their first ever “green home” in the Tradition Hilton Head community in South Carolina between Savannah and Hilton Head.
Tradition boasts 450 acres of lakes and several miles of walking and biking trails. Home prices range from the $260’s to over $1 million. The community also has a Tom Fazio designed golf course called Tradition National.
You can read all the green details over at HGTV’s Green Home Giveaway website. There are also several photos, videos, and a blog which talks about the green features of the home and how you could implement the same features into your own home.
What green features are you most interested to have in your home?
Bright’s Creek Golf Club In Western North Carolina
April 15, 2008
Coming up in May is the BMW Charity Pro-Am at Bright’s Creek Golf Club.
Besides being the host for this charity golf tournament, Bright’s Creek is an amazing community still being developed in Western North Carolina.
In addition to the Tom Fazio golf course, the community will also have an equestrian center, hiking trails, and a fishing and shotting club is in the works as well.
Check out their website and request more information if it interests you. Looks like it will be one heck of a place when its complete.
Prices of Carolina Golf Course Communities Taking Off
April 11, 2008
The NY Times has an article here about the growing popularity (and prices) of homes and golf course communities in the Carolinas.
This growing popularity really started a few years ago when people realized just how expensive Florida homes and communities were getting.
Developers in the Carolinas caught this trend early and signed lots of big name golf pros and golf course designers to slap their names on courses in the Carolinas. Even Tiger Woods is building a course there.
Don’t expect to find the bargains of just a couple years ago. The prices are now in line and/or even higher than some of the most upscale golf communities in Florida.
Ginn Laurelmore Development Update
March 25, 2008
Got an email with this update today from Laurelmore…
“Ginn Golf is continuing to work at an accelerated pace on the Tom Kite Golf Course with the irrigation pond, driving range and hole 10 being almost to a rough grade stage. Construction is continuing on holes 6 and 7. Powerlines are being pulled along Laurelmor Parkway, almost to the Fire Station. Nightshade Dr has power along with some of the other side roads below the clubhouse area.
Fiber optic cable is being pulled along Laurelmor Parkway up to Goldenrod Rd from the back entrance. Water and sewer utilities are continuing with water taps to 226 homesites and sewer taps to 204 homesites. All roads in Phase 1 have been completed with the exception of the shared drive at Clematis Rd. which is under construction.”
Don’t know about you but very excited to see this place when its done. Looks like they’re also offering what they call a “DreamSampler” package where you can come stay and experience Laurelmore. Looks like they’re putting people up at the Chetola Resort.
The Palisades Brochure
March 12, 2008
So, went online and requested a brochure from The Palisades, an upscale community in South Charlotte. It arrived in the mail today and thought I’d share it with you.
To begin with, it was a very nice presentation. You can tell a lot about a community through the way it presents itself through its promotional materials, believe me!
Jet black plastic packaging and inside a community brochure and a copy of Palisades Magazine (which I had looked at online but was glad to receive a copy).
A lot of community brochures are pretty short on details. They really want to make you call to get to the information you really want to learn. Not this one. There was actually some pretty good info. here:
- Community Map
- Map of the Surrounding Area
- Overview of the country club, boat club,
- An overview of some of the communities within the community
- An overview of the builders in The Palisades and some of their popular floorplans
- Some general pricing information
Last but not least an HOA Fee Sheet for The Palisades. Current fees (1/1/2008) according to the package are:
- $693 Master HOA Dues
- $69 Residential HOA Dues
- One-time Capital Contribution Paid ar Closing $762
- Additional fees for gated/private road sections of The Palisades
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