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Spotlight: The Vineyards on Lake Wylie

April 5, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

The Vineyards on Lake Wylie is a single-home and condominium community that offers waterfront living while still being minutes from Charlotte Douglas airport, Uptown and historic downtown Belmont.

Located west of the airport on the peninsula adjacent to Belmont, The Vineyards is just south of Wilkinson Boulevard and west of I-485.

Have no fear of airport noise! With flight paths traveling parallel to the neighborhood, there are no low-flying aircraft over The Vineyards to disturb your peace and quiet!

Including a great location on the water and near the city, the neighborhood offers waterfront homes and a 50-slip marina for boat storage.

Neighborhood amenities include a dog park, walking trails, boat slips and docks, playgrounds, pool with water slide and clubhouse with community room.

The D.R. Horton community, which started going up in 2009 with the condominium construction, is geared toward both families and empty-nesters with two distinct neighborhoods.. Though not age restricted, one section features ranch homes or master bedroom down plans for active adults. Lawn care is included in the HOA fees for those homes.

marina — A walking trail meanders past the resident boat slips.

The Napa Cottages, Kenwood Villas and Salinas Estates. The homes range in size from 1,356 square feet to 2,755 square feet and start in the $230,000s. Kenwood Villas are attached residences, with 4 homes per building and 2-car garages. There are 6 ranch plans for single-family, detached residences.

In its family-oriented neighborhood, The Vineyards has 8 2-story home plans ranging in size from 2,500 square feet to 3,205 square feet. Prices start in the $250,000s.

Calistoga is the neighborhood’s larger family floor plans that start at 2,560 square feet and $249,000. All the plans have 4 bedrooms and attached 2-car garages. Most plans include a large first-floor family room and 2nd floor bonus space. The Cambridge plan offers a third level and expands the home to 6 bedrooms and 2 bonus spaces.

Waterfront properties currently listed on The Vineyards’ site are priced from just under $451,000 to $536,000.

There is no sales data available on the single-family home portion of The Vineyards yet, however, the townhomes are selling at an average of 1.7 per month during the last 12 months for an average price of $277,245 and $124 per square foot.

There are currently 46 townhomes listed for sale in The Vineyards, both new construction and resale residences. Nineteen are under contract as of April 5.

There are many nearby destinations outside The Vineyards. Metro Charlotte is a 20-minute commute. Downtown Belmont and the U.S. National Whitewater Center are both about 15 minutes away. Toward the west are Kings Mountain and Crowders Mountain state parks.

If you love the idea of staying near the city and not making a move further south to the Tega Cay area then The Vineyards on Lake Wylie is a perfect compromise of seclusion and convenience for nearby shopping, dining and activities. With active adults in mind, there is surely a home to fit every family!

Neighborhood spotlight: Clover’s Tullamore

April 3, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

Great Clover schools, lower taxes and nearby Lake Wylie are just a few of the reason to take a look at the Essex Homes community of Tullamore in Clover!

Tullamore is just south of Autumn Cove and Crowders Creek Elementary School off SC 49/274.

Just 5 miles from the state border, Tullamore is convenient to all the lake-area amenities as well as 25 minutes from I-485/I-77 interchange near Westinghouse Boulevard. Nearby recreational destinations include Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, McDowell Nature Preserve and Crowders and Kings mountain state parks.

Shopping and dining is very close just north of Tullamore at the intersection of Highway 557. There is a Lowe’s, WalMart as well as restaurants, banks and a grocery store. Further east on 49 there are even more dining options before crossing the Buster Boyd Bridge toward McDowell Nature Preserve.

For boaters, there is access near the Buster Boyd Bridge and Lake Wylie Marina.

tullamorehome — An Essex Home in Tullamore

Neighborhood amenities include a picnic area and playgrounds.

Essex Homes is in the process of building out the 101 home sites in Tullamore, and only new construction is available.

The homes in Tullamore range from 2,100 square feet to 4,096 square feet and are priced starting in the $300,000s. Both ranch and 2-story homes are available in Tullamore on generously-sized lots. Essex is offering 10 home plans with a range of customizable options.

There are currently 11 homes listed for sale in Tullamore. Only 2 homes are under contract as of March 3.

A total of 7 homes have sold in the last 12 months in Tullamore. The average sales price for the homes that have sold in Tullamore is $308,409 and less than $96 per square foot.

The neighborhood is zoned for Crowders Creek Elementary School, Oak Ridge Middle School and Clover High School.

Essex Homes is also building homes in The Bluffs and Handsmill on Lake Wylie.

Spotlight: Lennar’s Southern Trace neighborhood

March 30, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

Located just around the corner from The Palisades on Youngblood Road is Southern Trace being built by Lennar Homes.

In addition to being convenient to the interstates, restaurants and retail, Southern Trace is convenient to McDowell Nature Preserve, Lake Wylie and Carowinds. Lake access is really close at the Copperhead Island public boat launch next to McDowell Nature Preserve.

Access to I-485 is approximately 20 minutes away. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is 12 miles from Southern Trace via Steele Creek Road, and Uptown is just under 40 minutes away depending on traffic. If works take you to the Ballantyne area then that is only 15 miles away. The closest everyday shopping is less than 3 miles away at Rivergate just east of McDowell.

Southern Trace has a pool and cabana for resident use.

The community offers several floor plans for 2- and 3-story homes on average size lots of a half acre or smaller.

Lennar is offering plans from two of its different home collections – Traditions and The Hall. Many of the homes feature brick and stone veneer with hardboard siding and large front porches.

Traditions homes are priced from $276,990s to $346,490s and are sized from 2,642 square feet to 4,734 square feet. Homes in The Hall collection start at $355,490s up to $429,990s. They are considerably larger starting at 3,567 square feet to more than 6,000 square feet. These plans include 3-car garages and 3-story homes.

There are 25 homes currently listed for sale in Southern Trace and all are new construction. Fourteen of the homes are under contract as of March 30.

Lennar sold 34 homes in the community during the last 12 months. Because it is a new home community, the sales data is not very useful for analyzing the market for Southern Trace homes, but the homes that have sold are averaging $100 per square foot.

The neighborhood is zoned for Palisades Park Elementary School, Southwest Middle School and Olympic High School.

There are many great Lake Wylie-area communities to choose from and Southern Trace is a great choice, especially if you want to be near Lake Wylie and also convenient to the Steele Creek area or South Charlotte.

Lake life in Belmont’s Misty Waters

March 27, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

Misty Waters is a gated, waterfront community located along Lower Armstrong Road just before the bridge leading to South New Hope Road and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

The neighborhood, developed in the early 2000s, gives residents the best of both worlds being located along the waterfront of beautiful Lake Wylie and still officially in Belmont and part of Belmont’s great school system as well as Gaston County’s lower taxes.

Screen Shot 2016-03-27 at 5.39.11 PM — This Doug McSpadden custom home in Misty Waters is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and combines natural stone and water in its design.

The serene, natural surroundings of the neighborhood were preserved as much as possible in developing lots for building. Additionally, the neighborhood has strict architectural guidelines for construction in keeping with the style and aesthetic of the neighborhood.

It is a short drive from Misty Waters to I-85, I-485 and Highway 74/Wilkerson Boulevard, which makes for a relatively easy commute to Uptown Charlotte for work or play. Charlotte Douglas airport is only about 30 minutes away. For everyday activities, quaint downtown Belmont is less 6 miles to the north.

Homes in Misty Waters must be at least 2,200 square feet and most are on lots of an acre.

Misty Waters has a lakefront clubhouse, swimming pool, walking trails and community boat dock/marina for residents living on interior lots. Waterfront homes have private docks and/or lifts.

Interior homes range in price from the $450,000s to $600,000, while waterfront homes are typically upward of $1 million.

Only 4 homes have sold in Misty Waters in the last 2 years. The average sales price and size of those properties was $716,875 and 4,721 square feet.

Currently, there are 4 properties listed for sale in Misty Waters. None of the properties is under contract as of March 27.

Two of the homes listed are beautiful waterfront properties.

The highest-priced home is listed for nearly $2 million and includes a guest house, dock and boat lift, and more than 6,800 square feet of living space. The other waterfront property is just under $1 million and has an indoor, heated pool, boat lift and is smaller at just under 4,600 square feet. Both are phenomenal properties!

There are also 2 interior homes listed in the $600,000s.

The neighborhood is zoned for Belmont Central Elementary, Belmont Middle School and South Point (N.C.) High School.

Misty Waters is a spectacular waterfront community that gives all residents access to the lake and the beautiful natural setting that surrounds it.

Spring means it is almost time to get on the water and enjoy lake life!!

Find tranquil, waterfront living in Handsmill

March 23, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water. ~Loren Eiseley

Water and nature are the driving forces behind Handsmill on Lake Wylie.

No matter how hectic your day or the amount of traffic in your commute, coming home should be the most calming part of your day. Add to it living lakeside in beautiful Handsmill, and your day just got a lot better!

meetingarea — An outdoor meeting area in a rustic lodge setting.

Handsmill is located on Hands Mill Highway and Highway 49. The community is 15 miles from I-485 and easily accessible to medical facilities, great shopping, dining and Charlotte Douglas airport, which is about 30 minutes away. Nearby recreation destinations include the U.S. National Whitewater Center, Daniel Stow Botanical Garden, McDowell Nature Preserve and historic downtown Belmont.

The nearly 400-acre master-planned community is located in York County on Lake Wylie’s western shore. When completed, it will have approximately 500 homes, as well as plenty of green space and walking trails.

Amenities, some of which are not yet completed, will include two marinas with 60 boat slips, boat launch ramp and boat storage area; common areas and parks; junior Olympic pool; fitness center; gathering rooms with fireplaces; catering kitchen; outdoor fireplace; and children’s playground.

The community is being built in 7 phases and has separate sub-neighborhoods – The Manors, The Abbey and The Pinnacle – that include single-family homes and duplex homees built by Handsmill’s approved team of builders.

Nearest the gated entrance, the Pinnacle at Handsmill is being built by Lennar Homes. It offers single-family homes on smaller, interior lots.

The Abbey is all about lakeside living! The custom homes and wooded home sites are nearest the water. Many of the home sites have dockable waterfront lots. There is a list of lots currently available in The Abbey. They range in size from just under 0.4 of an acre to almost 1 acre. Some are interior, but there are some dockable waterfront lots available.

Homes in Handsmill are priced from the $440,000s and waterfront lots start in the $300,000s. Homes currently listed for sale range from $478,350 for a nearly 4,200-square-foot, 5-bedroom home to $564,900 for a 5,800-square-foot, 6-bedroom home. None listed is waterfront.

There are 7 new construction homes listed in MLS for sale. Only 1 is under contract as of March 23. There are also homes listed on the Handsmill site that are available and not listed in MLS.

A list of neighborhood architectural guidelines are available on the neighborhood’s web site. According to the information provided on the Handsmill site, homes range in size from mid-2,000s to nearly 6,000 square feet. No information was provided regarding future phases in the neighborhood.

Handsmill is zoned for the Clover, S.C., school system, including Bethel Elementary, Oakridge Middle School and Clover High School.

Market spotlight: Masons Crossing on Lake Wylie

March 20, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

Masons Crossing is a waterfront community located in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Homes range in size from 2500-5000 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms to 5 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms.

In Masons Crossing, you don’t have to sacrifice proximity to get waterfront living. Both I-77 and I-485 are only about 15 miles away, and the subdivision also is convenient to Carowinds, Fort Mill/Rock Hill, and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Masons Crossing is currently zoned for Crowders Creek Elementary School, Oakridge Middle School, and Clover High School.

Over the past year, homes sold in Masons Crossing for an average of about $600,00 and $150/square foot.

Today, there are 3 homes on the market in Masons Crossing which means there is about 6 months supply in the subdivision. This puts it in line with the area as a whole and means the market in the area is balanced – neither a strong buyer’s market nor a strong seller’s market.

While most of the region is a seller’s market right now, Masons Crossing & Lake Wylie is a great place to look for a waterfront retreat, away from the hustle & bustle of Charlotte but close enough to commute.

The Sanctuary lives up to its name

March 17, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

Grand estate homes on large lots in a heavily wooded setting is the trademark of Lake Wylie’s The Sanctuary, an exclusive community with just 187 home sites planned on its more than 1,350 acres.

The idyllic Charlotte setting offers both waterfront and interior acreage, with lots ranging from 2 acres to 13 acres. In addition to main homes, the larger lot sizes allow for building additional structures like guest homes and studios.

Amenities include The Camp & John James Audubon Lodge, a 17-acre waterfront area with swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness center and a boating center. The Sanctuary employs a full-time staff to bring neighborhood residents together in social and recreational activities.

The neighborhood is adjacent to Thomas McAlister Winget Park and the North Carolina State Wildlife Landing. It is approximately 5 miles to I-485 at Steele Creek Road. Charlotte-Douglas airport is about 20 minutes away, and a commute to Uptown will take approximately 35 minutes. For everyday shopping, the Steele Creek area is the most convenient from the neighborhood.

There are 15 approved builders for creating custom homes in The Sanctuary. Twenty percent of the land space will remain undeveloped and allows for nearly 20 miles of walking trails, 300 acres of open common space and 7 miles of shoreline on the property.

Currently, there are 9 properties listed for sale in The Sanctuary, one of which is under contract. Seven of the properties are resale homes, and two are pre-construction home plans that can be purchased as land only.

Only six homes sold in The Sanctuary during the last 12 months. Five of the homes were resale and 1 was a new construction home. None was waterfront property.

The average sales price of those 6 homes sold was $811,125 and $168.20 per square foot. The sales averaged 96.6% of list price.

Additionally, there is a unique opportunity to own a waterfront home inside The Sanctuary property that is not governed by Sanctuary deed restrictions.

Built in 1953, the 1,000-square-foot home is in a prime location that includes a boat lift and dock. It is listed at $450,000 and could be occupied as is or torn down and rebuilt. The lot is nearly 1.2 acres. It is a fantastic chance to live within the beauty of The Sanctuary without the steep price or restrictions.

The family-friendly neighborhood is zoned for Charlotte’s Winget Park Elementary School, Southwest Middle School and Olympic High School.

Lake Wylie sales prices up, inventory down

March 10, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

The year-over-year average sales prices of Lake Wylie homes was up for February, as the housing inventory dips.

According to data from Carolina Multiple Listing Services (CMLS), the average sales price of a Lake Wylie home rose 12.7% to $364,108 from $323,195 a year ago. Median home sales prices were also up to $320,548, a 10.4% increase from year-ago figures.

The Lake Wylie area has just 4.5 months of market inventory. That is a drop of more than 10% from February 2015 but actually up slightly from 4.4 months inventory in January 2016. Inventory of 6 months represents a balanced market that neither favors the buyer or seller. Less than 6 months inventory is considered a seller’s market.

In February 2016, there were 369 homes actively listed for sale, down from 404 a year ago.

The percent of original list price received dropped slightly from February 2015 to 94.4% from 95.2%. Typically, low inventory drives demand and higher closing prices. Theoretically, the percent of list price should come up if inventory continues downward. However, the market does tend to pick up in the Spring months, which may tip the scales toward more of a balanced market.

Days on the market, which is measured from date listed to under contract, for Lake Wylie homes was unchanged at 107 from February 2015.

As a whole, York County year-over-year figures for February were as follows: Average sales price: $231,877, up +0.9%; Median sales price: $190,500, -5.9%; Months inventory, 2.7, -28.9%; Inventory of homes for sale: 940, -21.4%; Days on the market, 69, -9.2%.

February inventory dropped for the entire CMLS region, which includes 8 counties around the Charlotte metro area. There was just 2.8 months of inventory, a dip of nearly 35% from last year.