Lake Wylie Waterfront

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.

Spotlight: The Coves on River Oaks

March 1, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

The beautiful Coves on River Oaks offers residents large home lots in a peaceful lakeside setting.

Developer May Green Properties planned the 250-acre neighborhood that has just 160 home sites. It is located just north of the intersection of highways 557 and 274. It’s just 2 miles north of the Buster Boyd Bridge.

Aside from the proximity to Lake Wylie and all it has to offer, the neighborhood has walking trails and lots of common area green space. Additionally, it is close to local shopping, dining and restaurants.

Veranda Classic Homes has 6 floor plans to choose from or buyers can choose their own builder for a 3,000-square-foot minimum home size. The homes are priced from the high $400,000s to the $700,000s.

A custom Craftsman-style home that sold in The Coves on River Oaks last year.

Some of the custom builders in The Coves are MJ Palmer Construction Co., Aspen Homes, Beckham Custom Homes and Holmes Construction.

The first 3 phases of the community sold out, and May Green is offering “estate” lots of 4 to 10 acres in size. Even the standard home size lots of 1.4 to 3 acres are large compared to most planned community lots. There are no waterfront lots but many water view lots.

Currently, 8 homes are for sale in The Coves on River Oaks. One home is a 2010 resale home and the rest are new construction. Three are under contract as of March 1.

Only 4 of the 9 homes sold during the last 12 months were resale homes. The average sales price was $582,478, with an average price per square foot of just under $139.

Resale homes sold for an average of 94.5% of list price. The overall sales average was 97% of list price.

Fewer than 1 home sells per month in The Coves, which puts inventory at more than 8 months. Nearby neighborhood The Landing has 9 months of inventory and 9 homes currently listed for sale.

The Coves on River Oaks is zoned for Crowders Creek Elementary, Oak Ridge Middle School and Clover High School.

Seclusion & security in gorgeous River Hills

February 24, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

River Hills on Lake Wylie is one of the area’s premier lakeside communities with nearly 1,100 single-family homes and condominiums.

Built in the the 1970s by Hilton Head’s Sea Pines Group, the gated community is built around the championship golf course of River Hills Country Club.

The neighborhood has tennis courts, a fitness center, swimming pools, community gardens and walking trails for residents to enjoy. Homeowners also have lake access via a private, full-service marina and boat slips for owners without waterfront access at their home.

River Hills is on the South Carolina side of Buster Boyd Bridge on Hwy 49 and is only 30 minutes from Rock Hill, Uptown Charlotte, Gastonia or Charlotte-Douglas Airport.

The award-winning Clover School District serves the neighborhood.

For more complete neighborhood details, see this neighborhood profile.

An average of 5.3 homes sold each month in River Hills during the last 12 months for an average sales price of $324,532.

There are currently 27 homes for sale in River Hills, ranging in price from $200,000 to $830,000. Nine of the homes are already under contract as of Feb. 24.

Six waterfront properties are listed for sale, including this beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home that is behind River Hills gates but technically not part of the property and therefore not in the HOA. This is a fantastic way to live on the water in a secure location without HOA fees! This seller is motivated, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to live on the water!

Twenty-seven homes listed represents approximately 5 months of inventory for the neighborhood, which is less than the 7 months inventory currently for both Lake Wylie and York County.

The highest price of a home sold in the past year was $610,000 for a 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom 5,400-square-foot home on the golf course. The lowest price was a townhome that sold for $137,400. On average, River Hills’ properties sell for 97% of list price.

River Hills is a fantastic property in a prime lakeside location. Its diverse home styles and activities attract all types of people and families. There is something for everyone in River Hills!

Builder buys hundreds of acres on Lake Wylie

February 9, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

Bonterra Builders has purchased a large tract of land near Lake Wylie in southwest Mecklenburg County, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer.

Bonterra, whose homes are also in Lake Wylie’s Heron Cove and Belmont’s Morgan Branch, purchased a 213-acre tract off York Road for approximately 6 million, the report said.

The land is southwest of McDowell Nature Preserve just before the bridge. The southern border of the land purchased abuts the waterfront homes on the north side of Boyd’s Cove.

The report did not give a timeline or a plan from Bonterra for the land.

Bonterra lists 29 communities in and around the Charlotte region it has planned or completed.

It builds homes in all price points from the $100,000s to near $900,000. The homes in Lake Wylie’s Heron Cove are large in size and are priced in the $400,000s.

With Bonterra’s development likely coming to the Boyd’s Cove area, now is the time to get in on a beautiful waterfront home there.

This gorgeous ranch built in 2000 has expansive waterfront views throughout and nearly 5,000 square feet of living space.

The home has been fastidiously maintained and is ready for summer fun and watching sunsets from the porch!

Sunset Point: Affordable lakeside living

February 4, 2016 by lkw_df Leave a Comment

Sunset Point on the shores of Lake Wylie is a beautiful community tucked away on the southeastern corner of the lake near Westminster Park.

Built in 2002, the neighborhood includes single-family detached homes and townhomes. It is one of the more affordable communities on the lake with waterfront homes.

Sunset Point is 20 miles south of Charlotte with convenient access to I-77. It is minutes from Fort Mill and Tega Cay.

Founded in 2002, Sunset Point has many amenities, such as a pool and cabana, grills and picnic area, private beach area with a picnic pavilion and a lakeside boardwalk.

The neighborhood also has a 64-space community boat storage area. Most waterfront homes in the community also have either private backyard docks or private community slips. Public access boat ramps for residents who do not have a boat slip or dock is available at nearby Ebenezer Park.

Interior homes usually range in the $200,000 to $300,000 range, while waterfront homes in Sunset Point can approach high $400,000s.

Currently, there are 2 homes listed in Sunset Point, both waterfront and listed at $450,000. Both homes are around 2,500 square feet.

The average sales price for a home in Sunset Point over the last 12 months was $234,050. There were no waterfront homes sold in the last year. The price per square foot for the homes sold averaged approximately $90.

The highest and lowest price of homes sold in the last year was $277,000 and $189,500, respectively.

Life on the lake attracts all kinds of buyers and Sunset Point is no different. The community is a diverse mix of young, single professionals, couples, families, retirees and empty-nesters.

If you thought waterfront or even water view living would bust your budget, think again. Keep an eye on homes available in Sunset Point!