Last week, the Southern Development Homes team took a break from business as usual to give back to the local Central Virginia community. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville works to create simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with low-income families, volunteers and the communities of greater Charlottesville. We were honored to partner with the organization to help build a home in one of our own developments, Burnet Commons. Check out the pictures in this gallery to see the results of the team’s hard work. Many thanks to Virginia Hamrick for the photos!
Want to learn more about what makes our Dunlora Forest community so special? Join us for an open house to celebrate the certification of our Dunlora presence as the state’s first residential EasyLiving Community!
Here are the event details:
When: January 28, 2014 at 1:00 – 3:00
What: Virginia’s first residential development with multiple certified EasyLiving Homes will be open to invited guests and the media. A brief ceremony will precede a neighborhood walk and include interview and photo opportunities.
Where: 1592 Sawgrass Court, Charlottesville
Who: Speakers include Charlie Armstrong, Southern Development Homes; Steve Thomas, President, EasyLivingHome.
Directions: From Route 29, turn onto Rio Road East. Turn left at traffic light near CATEC to continue on Rio Road. Dunlora Forest will be on your left. From Richmond take I-64 West. Exit to Rte 250 West at Shadwell. Right exit onto Park St. Park St becomes Rio Rd. Right onto Dunlora Forest Drive. Model home is located at 1592 Sawgrass Court.
Not only will attendees learn more about the benefits of Universal Design, but they will also get to speak with representatives of EasyLiving Home, Southern Development Homes, and some Dunlora Forest EasyLiving Home residents themselves.
Can’t make it? Be sure to contact Southern Development Homes’ Dunlora Forest expert Judi Antobus for deatails on remaining opportunities in the community!
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contacts: Charlie Armstrong, Southern Development Homes, (434) 245-0894 x108
Teri Barker Morgan, EasyLiving Home, (804) 475-1461
The first EasyLiving Home Community in Virginia
Open house and press tour of Dunlora Forest development in Albemarle County.
Tuesday, January 28, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., 1592 Sawgrass Court, Charlottesville.
(CHARLOTTESVILLE)— EasyLiving Home, a nonprofit organization, certifies multiple homes in Dunlora Forest development — the state’s first residential development to make EasyLiving Home certification a standard feature in a community. Located in Albemarle County, Dunlora Forest offers multiple EasyLiving Home certified residences. Three features are necessary to be certified as an EasyLiving Home:
Stepless entrance
Easy passage inside with ample hallway space and door widths
A first floor that includes the master bedroom, kitchen, entertainment area and bathroom with ample maneuvering space
“EasyLiving Homes are designed to be convenient for the entire lifetime of the owners,” said Stephen Thomas, president of EasyLiving Home, a non-profit organization, and the builder of the first certified EasyLiving Home in Virginia. “This program influences how architects and builders design and construct new homes,” added Teri Morgan, EasyLiving Home Board member.
Dunlora Forest is a 22 acre residential development project of Charlottesville based Southern Development Homes. Located on Rio Road in the urban ring of Albemarle County the community features a mix of styles, including a heavy focus on one level living. Of the 99 homes being built, 36 will be certified EasyLiving Home. 31 of the 36 homes to be certified are already sold or under contract, demonstrating the market appeal for the convenient lifestyle offered by an EasyLiving Home.
When asked about Southern Development Homes’ decision to include multiple certified EasyLiving Homes Charlie Armstrong, Vice President of Land Development with Southern Development, said “The decision to build EasyLiving Homes was a no-brainer. These are features our customers want, and the certification allows every single customer to apply for a $5,000 tax credit. Why wouldn’t we provide this great benefit to our customers?”
EasyLiving Home will host a Dunlora Forest press tour of the community on Tuesday, January 28, from 1p.m. – 3p.m. Representatives of EasyLiving Home, Southern Development Homes, and some Dunlora Forest EasyLiving Home residents will be present. Learn more at www.elhomes.org.
We saw the need. For more than two years Charlottesville clients had asked for a convenient and livable home for their next move. Often they were looking to downsize, but wanted to invest in a floor plan that would meet their needs now and in the future.
Enter Universal Design elements into our floor plans at Dunlora Forest. From zero-step entry to easy passage doors, the design features of Universal Design make a home more livable in all seasons of life.
Our Dunlora Forest homes are, in fact, the largest collection of certified “EasyLiving” homes in a single community within the state of Virginia. An EasyLiving Home designation results from a certification program designed to promote easy access to homes for everyone. It aims to increase convenience, safety and inclusion. In order to receive the EasyLiving Home certification, a home must feature:
Step-less entrance
Ample hallway space and door widths to allow for easy passage throughout the home
Master bedroom, kitchen, entertainment area and bathroom with ample maneuvering space located on the first floor
For us at Southern Development Homes it’s about more than certifications and sales (though we’ve seen record traction in Dunlora Forest!). It’s about happy clients. We’re thrilled at the amazing feedback we’ve received from folks who are happily settled into their Dunlora Forest homes, enjoying both the central location and all the benefits of EasyLiving.
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 Courseat 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.”
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.
This was the fourth home purchase for our family, and it was the best one. The people at Southern Development made all the difference. Not only were they pleasant and personable to deal with, they listened to us. They modified their plans to fit our wants and then asked if we had any other changes we desired them to make. They continued working with us on the details until we had a home that was distinctly ours: a custom home at a less than custom price. Their construction was first rate, and our project manager was a true professional with a great personality. He had the home ready for move in a month and a half early. Rebecca in sales, Garnett the project manager, and Frank Ballif the president were all wonderful to work with from with our initial interest in their model going all the way through construction and our first year in the finished home. A superb builder to deal with, and we highly recommend them.
Frank Ballif and his team at Southern Development constructed our last two homes. In fact, we purchased the very first house the company built. We were so pleased by the workmanship, that we asked Southern Development to build our dream home.
When building our home, we wanted a functional house that provided a sense of family unity. The centrally located kitchen was designed to be the command and control center, with all other rooms flowing from it. We envisioned a Tuscan style interior that captured a European elegance, but was nonetheless practical for casual everyday living – and within a practical budget!
The Southern Development team worked hard to make our vision a reality. Their design team methodically adjusted our plans that were first scribbled on a napkin! Soon, our vision took shape on a computer screen, and then quickly translated to bricks and mortar. The final product was a home of outstanding quality constructed with meticulous attention to detail. The team crafted our home with a “partnership” mindset starting on day one. Honesty and integrity were key ingredients to making it all work. Almost nine years post construction, we are just as delighted now with our home as we were the day we first walked in. Frank is a special person and the company is a unique organization.
We would highly recommend Southern Development to anyone looking to build a home. The team truly takes a long term view to building homes, and to sustaining lifelong relationships.
I was so blessed to work with Southern Development, I love my home, and I love the relationship that I still have 4 years later with the builder. Southern Development is a relationship company, the salesperson that showed me the house helped me customize everything I wanted and made sure it fit in my budget. She worked hand in hand with my realtor and made the process so easy for me. The quality of the materials, the location, my neighbors, it’s all been a tremendous blessing for such a significant time in my life when I was buying my first home. Even after the warranty had run its course, Southern Development still takes my calls if I have any concerns and they have performed maintenance for me. They have always treated me like a priority, and they still do after our business was concluded. I will always believe in, and support Southern Development, they will have my business for sure for the next home I buy. I really appreciate their professionalism and kindness. They are a true asset to our community. I’m a Southern Development man!
Southern Development Homes welcomed its first homeowners in the Hyland Ridge neighborhood this month.
Conveniently tucked away between Fontana and Ashcroft in Albemarle County and less than two miles from downtown Charlottesville and Martha Jefferson Hospital, Hyland Ridge features classic single family homes on half acre homesites with spacious rear yards – many backing to wooded preservation areas streams and walking trails.
Our first homeowners, The Engels, are settling into their EarthCraft Certified Craftsman Waverly featuring a first floor owners’ suite, with 3 additional bedrooms on the second floor. The Waverly also offers the ability to enclose the open great room to add a second Master suite upstairs for a total of 5 BRs/3 ½ baths and up to 5,125 fin square feet.
The Waverly
“We chose Hyland Ridge because of the convenient location,” the Engels said, “the lot specifications met our needs (flat and large), and it has sidewalks. The Waverly floor plan was right for us because it is open and spacious. It allows us to be in close proximity to our young children, without hovering. With our walkout basement, we know it is a home we can grow into as the children grow.”
The Hamilton
Also completed this month was our Craftsman Hamilton featuring the wraparound porch to enjoy the views. Priced from $499, 900 – this home features 4 BRs/3 ½ baths, gourmet kitchen open to the great room and main level study/dining room off the center hall.
There are now 3 home plans being offered which feature one-level living, priced from $489,900. Preview all of the floor plans being built in Hyland Ridge here.
Each home is well appointed with included features that many would consider upgrades. All homes are EarthCraft certified, which means lower utility costs, enhanced indoor air quality, increased comfort, added resale value and reduced home maintenance costs. The Craftsman or Traditional exteriors have distinctive HardiePlank siding and Trex Trescends front porches. The gourmet kitchens include stainless steel 36” 5-burner cooktops with wall mount hoods, along with built-in microwave and convection wall ovens. Customers can choose stained or painted maple cabinetry with full overlay doors featuring the soft-action close system and dovetailed drawer construction, granite countertops, and large center islands for entertaining. There are hardwood floors throughout the main level common areas and ceramic flooring in all the full baths.
Our decorated Sutherland Model Home will be opening early August and will welcome visitors 11-6 daily.
Directions from Downtown: Take 250 East towards Pantops. At Stony Point Rd/ Route 20, turn left. Travel approximately half a mile to a right onto Fontana Drive. Continue through Fontana to Hyland Ridge neighborhood. 1708 Hyland Creek Circle.
For more information or a tour of the neighborhood today, please contact Rebecca White rwhite@southern-development.com at 434.202.0422 or visit the Pavilions at Pantops model home located at 1565 Newcastle Court.