SDH Happenings

Ann and Peter are among the very first residents of Dunlora Forest and they are thrilled with their new home. Located at the corner of Rio Road and Penn Park Drive, Dunlora Forest is a unique new community that offers EarthCraft Certified homes with first floor living and many universal design features.

Ann and Peter chose to relocate to Charlottesville to be closer to their children and grandchildren. When they discovered Dunlora Forest, they realized that this community had everything that they were looking for.

“We wanted to be in Charlottesville, in a convenient central location, and we wanted a home with a first floor master bedroom.” While both Peter and Ann are retired from their professions, they each continue to work, so a maintenance-free lifestyle was desired. Landscape and lawn maintenance are taken care of by the Homeowner’s Association leaving more time for recreational activities and time with family and friends.

An avid golfer, Peter appreciates the close proximity to the Meadowcreek Golf Course at Pen Park. In addition to everything that the nearby park has to offer, Dunlora Forest will have nature trails throughout the 7 acre forest preserve behind the homes, as well as a community vegetable garden and cutting flower garden.

Ann says that their experience with Southern Development has been wonderful. “Judi and Doug were phenomenal to work with, and they welcomed our participation throughout the construction process. Doug was patient and always willing to answer our questions.”

Charif Soubra is the Sales Manager for The Woods at Burnet Commons.  He’s been with Southern Development since February and we’re glad that he is part of our sales team.

• Favorite place to eat in Charlottesville – In this town there really is a wealth of good eats, no matter what type of cuisine I’m in the mood for. That being said, Citizen’s Burger Bar on the Downtown Mall is an easy go-to. And I like spicy food, so when I need my fix I’ll hit Downtown Thai, where I’m on the “Wall of Flame.”
• Favorite part of a new career in the New Home industry – Two things, really. 1) Buying a home has to be THE most emotional purchase anyone goes through. I like sitting with a customer and really honing in on the most important items for them. Seeing their excitement when you’re one step closer to delivering their “dream.” 2) Working for a company with such a stellar reputation as Southern Development (99% of buyers would buy from us again or refer family/friend) makes me proud. My kids love it too! They pass one of our neighborhoods and exclaim, “Hey, those are daddy’s houses!”
• Favorite Southern Development Plan – Our new Hawthorne, which just opened at The Woods at Burnet Commons. The two-story atrium brings in so much light to both floors. The kitchen and dining areas can be their own entertaining space while the rest of the party is enjoying the great room. And the basement has plenty of room for my imagined “man-cave” or a guest suite. Best part is I can walk to my, above-mentioned, favorite places to eat!
• Favorite way to relax – Ideally, I’d take the family to the house in Duck, NC that has become our annual vacation spot. Walk to the beach, walk to the food, or play games on the deck. It’s always low key and a great way to decompress. Locally though, we’ve been lucky enough to become part of the local theater community. Relaxing for me is rehearsing 4-5 nights a week and putting on a good show to whoever will watch. I’m a ham and feed off the energy, but the best is watching my wife & kids perform.

Join us for the Grand Opening of our decorated model at Hyland Ridge/  Saturday, September 21st and Sunday, September 22nd from Noon to 4 PM.  Enter to win a $100 Artful Lodger gift card.   View the full flyer with directions.

Southern Development Homes will start  construction on a model home this month in its newest community, The Woods at Burnet Commons. Featuring a 1-acre wooded central park, walking trails, and energy efficient homes built to stringent EarthCraft© standards – The Woods is the only single family home, new construction, community within easy walking distance to the vibrant Downtown Mall. The Woods will feature a mix of single family, townhomes, duplex, and cottage homes. Southern Development Homes will be introducing four new floor plans for this project.

To learn more about Southern Development Homes new designs available in The Woods at Burnet Commons, and register to receive updates on construction and grand opening plans, fill in the contact us form  or call Charif at 434.996.9175.

The genesis of the second phase of Burnet Commons, affectionately called “The Woods,” is a story of a partnership among neighbors.  It was an unusual partnership—and it is a story worth telling.

Seven landowners, residents, and long-time community fixtures came together to make The Woods a reality.  One partner contributed the land and home where they had raised their children.  Another partner added land that his parents bought long ago and had passed down to the next generation.  A third partner is a family of architects and land planners who literally carved off part of their back yard to add to the planned development so that the vision of The Woods would be realized.

You’ll often read about neighbors standing up in protest of new development in their neighborhood, and understandably so—those neighbors live where they live because they like it the way it is.  The Woods was different.  In addition to the seven partner landowners, dozens of other adjacent neighbors unanimously rallied around the proposed development, writing to their City Councilors to insist that the novel concept for this new neighborhood proceed.

And City Council unanimously agreed.  Their support went beyond a simple “yes” vote though.  The City decided to join the partnership and voted to contribute some land of its own.

That’s when we knew we were really on to something special.  Never in our careers have we experienced such diverse, unanimous and overwhelming support for a development concept.

The Concept:

The name says it.  “The Woods.”  The plan began with a focus on a central part of the property, with mature hardwood trees, gently rolling landscape, and natural tranquility.  When you arrive in the neighborhood you immediately see how preservation of this area is what makes the community so special.  You’ll immediately see that The Woods is different.  This wooded central green space also happened to be in such a location that it would mirror and complement its sister green space in Phase 1 of Burnet Commons; a grand open lawn.  The Woods, by contrast, would be a shady place to stroll.

With that, the focus turned to sustainability and environmental stewardship.  Using exceptionally innovative engineering techniques, the project engineering team developed a groundbreaking strategy for storm water management.  When you think of an urban street, you think of something with storm water inlets along the curb line, directing rainwater into pipes that dump directly in our creeks.  And again, The Woods is different; there are no storm sewers.  By keeping the water above ground and directing it to specially engineered infiltration areas, The Woods will recharge the area’s groundwater and release it to the environment cleaner than when it fell out of the sky.  You’re not going to find this combination of creative engineering techniques anywhere else in Virginia.

And finally: the architecture.  While the Land Planners were designing the central woods and the Engineers were innovating new sustainable development techniques, the Architects were busy with the homes. Out of the vision for The Woods sprang Southern Development’s High Performance Home. These homes don’t compromise.  Designed and perfected over many years, the High Performance Home delivers brilliant curb appeal, exceptional durability, wallet-friendly energy efficiency, and fine interior detail.  Sounds expensive?  It isn’t.  The Woods is different.

HBAVAR13 pg 37

from Charlottesville Business Journal

Monday, September 9, 2013

by Jim Brewer

The new community, Hyland Ridge, is creating lots of excitement in the real estate community.  And why not?  With fantastic EarthCraft homes and quality construction from local, established homebuilder Southern Development Homes, what’s not to like?  And location?  Couldn’t be better.

Hyland Ridge is conveniently tucked away between Fontana and Ashcroft. The new community is less than two miles from downtown Charlottesville, Martha Jefferson Hospital and Interstate 64.

Hyland Ridge will have 97 homes in all with spacious half-acre lots.   Plus, there will be 7 preservation lots ranging from three to twenty-one acres.  The community was strategically designed to provide generous rear yards, many of which back up to the wooded preservation areas, streams and walking trails.   The tree-lined streets and sidewalks add more appeal to the convenient neighborhood.   Many of the homes will be constructed by proven, local homebuilder Southern Development Homes, who has been part of the community for many years and will be around for years to come.  Service after the sale is part of the legacy of Southern Development Homes.

Hyland Ridge offers a mix of open floor plans, with gourmet kitchens and special features such as sunrooms, screened porches, mudrooms and reading nooks.  The exterior elevations will include both Traditional and Craftsman styles.  The plans range form 2,500 to over 5,000 square feet.

Priced from the $490s, there are several one level living plans (Westlake II and Cypress II models) which feature both the master suite and a guest bedroom on the main level, with 2 additional bedrooms above.  Also offered in the low $500s is the popular Hamilton family plan with 4 bedrooms all on the 2nd level.  The Sutherland and Waverly models can be built to provide up to 6 BRs/5 1/2 baths offering over 5,000 square feet of finished living space.   And there are models in between sure to satisfy the most discerning homeowners.

All Southern Development Homes will be EarthCraft-certified, which means lower utility costs, enhanced indoor air quality, increased comfort, added resale value and a greatly reduced home maintenance cost.  Each Southern Development home packs a big punch with standard features that many would consider upgrades.  The well appointed homes have distinctive Hardiplank siding exteriors and Trex Transcends front porches.   The gourmet kitchens feature stainless steel 36″ cooktops with hood vent/wall ovens, granite countertops, genuine maple cabinetry with full overlay doors, with soft-action closing system.   There are hardwood floors throughout the main level common areas and ceramic flooring in all the full baths – plus frameless shower doors in the master bedroom.

The Decorated Model Home in Hyland Ridge will have a Grand Opening event on Saturday and Sunday, Sept 21st and 22nd from Noon until 4 PM.

Come tour the model and enter to win one a gift card to Artful Lodger or Pottery Barn.

From downtown Charlottesville, take 250 East to Pantops, and turn left on Stony Point Road.  Go approximately one-half mile and take a right onto Fontana Drive.  Continue through Fontana to the Hyland Ridge community, model home is located at 1708 Hyland Creek Circle.

Southern Development’s Sutherland Model – Grand Opening Sept. 21/22

Charlottesville Business Journal, Monday, August 26, 2013

by Jim Brewer

Dunlora Forest – the exciting new community underway on Rio Road – has opened its new model home.   Stop in to see the great designs and floor plans from Southern Development.

Dunlora, located off Rio Road, midway between the 250 By Pass and Rt. 29 North, has been one of Charlottesville’s most popular subdivisions.  Dunlora Forest, adjacent to Dunlora, has even greater potential.  With over 70% of their home offerings in this community sold and new residents just beginning to move in, it looks like this community will sell out quickly.

Frank Ballif, Owner and Manager at Southern Development Homes and a UVA Civil Engineering graduate, is excited about his newest project.  “Dunlora Forest is one of Charlottesville’s most convenient communities,” he said.  “The homes will be EarthCraft and EasyLiving Home certified and boasting many elements of Universal Design.”

Southern Development Homes will build 36 homes in Dunlora Forest, a modern development which will include walking trails, community flower gardens, a community vegetable garden, a tot lot and an eco-friendly raingarden system.   The Southern Development Homes will have First Floor Master Suites, Designer Kitchens with granite countertops, GE Stainless appliances, hardwood floors, 42-inch maple cabinets, and Moen faucets with pullout sprayers – and, of course, a convenient pantry.

With quality construction inside and out, interior features include nine-foot ceilings, hardwood floors in the foyer and great room, ceramic tile in all baths, maple vanities and cultured marble tops.   The exteriors feature professionally designed landscaping, sodded front and side yards, wonderful porches, patios and exterior living spaces.

The energy saving features inherent in EarthCraft homes result in lower utility bills and homes that are 30-40% more efficient than typical new homes and nearly twice as energy efficient as most existing homes.

Southern Development will offer a variety of great floor plans for both attached and detached homes.   The Kiawah, a single level attached home with two bedroom suites on the first floor, starts at an affordable $369,900.  The Cypress, a 4-bedroom, 3-full bath attached home starts at $409,900.  The Magnolia, a 2 bedroom, 2 full bath, attached home on an unfinished basement is priced starting at $404,900 while the Savannah, a popular 4-bedroom, 3-bath home, starts at $449,900.

Southern Development has been named a Charlottesville Favorite Builder in both the Daily Progress Readers Choice and Albemarle Family surverys since 2010.  The company is currently active in many great communities throughout Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene and Fluvanna.

To find out more about Dunlora Forest, call Judi Antrobus at (434) 202-5071.

Thanks to EasyLiving Home for including us in their recent blog post.  You can learn more about the EasyLiving certification by visiting www.elhomes.org.  You can read the full article below or here.

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Southern Development’s Dunlora Forest features EasyLiving Homes

Southern Development Homes has been building high-quality homes and communities throughout the central Virginia region since 1999. Dedicated to constructing homes that are energy efficient and durable, Southern Development Homes recognized the growing demand for homes that also provide easy access and convenience for their homebuyers. In 2012, the Company became an EasyLiving Home builder.

The Dunlora Forest subdivision, currently under construction in Albemarle County, features homes that incorporate the EasyLiving Home elements of easy access, easy passage and easy use. Frank Ballif, President of Southern Development Homes, is excited about his newest project. “Dunlora Forest is one of Charlottesville area’s most convenient communities,” he said.  “The homes will be EarthCraft-certified with many elements of Universal Design.”  The result is energy efficient homes with a reduced impact on the environment that are designed around every day convenience.

The new homes, which are selling very fast, have a mix of styles, incorporating one-level living, EasyLiving Home features and other universal design elements. These features include a step-free entrance; wider doorways and hallways and a bathroom with ample maneuvering space. For additional ease of use, the homes include two bedrooms on the main level, minimal thresholds at every door and lever door handles. A home with EasyLiving Home features not only allows homeowners and their visitor’s ease of movement and convenience during any stage of life but also supports an active and healthy lifestyle.

Visit their decorated model open daily 11-6. For more information visit  their website www.southern-development.com.

Thank you for choosing Southern Development Homes in The Daily Progress’ 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards.  We have been recognized as a favorite in the Builder and Contractor categories this year.   This is the 4th year that we have been honored to be named a Charlottesville favorite.    

Contractor Category

View the full Daily Progess insert here.