2023 Fall Ideal-LIVING

20+ VILLAGES | 80 + MODELS | SINGLE-FAMILY, TOWNHOMES, CONDOS & RENTALS | VILLAGE & COMMUNITY AMENITIES | GOLF & RACQUET SPORTS

300+ COMMUNITY EVENTS A YEAR | PARKS & TRAILS | THREE TOWN CENTERS WITH SHOPPING & DINING | SOCIAL & SPORTS CLUBS THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNITY | TOP-RATED SCHOOLS & HEALTHCARE | NEW HOMES FROM THE $300S TO OVER $ 1 M*

Where Everyday Life & Nature Meet.

Just outside of Savannah, on the Georgia coast, there’s a master planned community that’s rooted in nature and built with modern amenities. Here, water’s in uence is the center of the lifestyle, and health and wellness are valued along with days of adventure and exploration.

Discover Our Newest Neighborhood - Harbor Retreat

In Harbor Retreat, we’ve created an intimate village of charming low country homes while protecting the native environment and existing landscape. Here you’ll nd single family homes with lagoon, waterview, wooded, preserve, and nature views. Located in the heart of the community, Harbor Retreat is truly its own peninsula—completely encircled by the peaceful waters of our freshwater lake known as Grand Lagoon— bringing its residents a tranquil setting as well as a sense of privacy and exclusivity. Harbor Retreat is accessed via a rustic wooden bridge over Grand Lagoon, and many homesites have direct waterfront access while others enjoy backyards bordering our spectacular and peaceful nature preserves.

Discover The Enclave - Our Newest Custom Home Neighborhood

The Enclave features estate homes amongst a breathtaking canopy of ancient oaks, magnolias, holly, and coastal pine that sets Waterways apart from so many other communities. The Enclave provides its residents a tranquil setting as well as a sense of privacy and exclusivity. Lagoon, and Nature

Homes Starting in the $400s

Over 20 Floor Plans

Premier Neighborhoods

Golf Course & Waterfront Homesites

Personalize Your Design

Ready-Move Homes

Ideal Location

60 Minutes to Tampa

25 Minutes to Ocala

10 Minutes to the Gulf Coast Boating, Fishing, Cycling, Manatees, Annual Festivals

World-Class Amenities

4 Golf Courses

2 Tennis Centers

3 Fitness Centers & Spa

3 On-Site Restaurants

Annual Social Calendar

Close to everything:

Local beaches

Shopping and dining

Outdoor recreation

Year-round entertainment

Educational experiences

Built-in town center:

Convenient shopping

Restaurants and cafes

Community events and classes

Weekly farmers market

Event lawn

Amenities galore:

20,000 sq. ft. clubhouse

TIM autonomous shuttle

Electric bike share

20-mile mobility trail system

300 acres of parks

Resort-style pools

Poolside cafe and market

Fitness center

Outdoor recreation

Sports courts

Card rooms

Therapy lounge

Demonstration kitchen

Your key to paradise

Best of all, No CDD Fees!

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Latitude Margaritaville Kentucky Registration Number R-201. For NY Residents: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT DAYTONA BEACH ARE IN THE CPS12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO COMMUNITIES, LLC. FILE NO. CP17-0092. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT HILTON HEAD ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO LATITUDE HH, LLC. FILE NO. CP18-0021. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE WATERSOUND ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, LMWS, LLC. FILE NO. CP20-0062. Pennsylvania Registration Numbers OL00169 (Latitude Margaritaville at Daytona Beach), OL001170 (Latitude Margaritaville

17 ideal-LIVING.com |

Live where the deer and the antelope really DO play

FALL 2023

VOLUME 25, NUMBER FOUR

PUBLISHER

RPI Media, LLC.

PRESIDENT

Michael Hackeling

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kelly Godbey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Cecilia Beard, Jan Cullinane, Sam Crawford, Jim Dorsey, Kelly Godbey, Warren Grant, Scott Kauffman, Paula Robertson, JG Walker

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Kelly Godbey

Amber Whittington

DATABASE MANAGER

David Heck

IDEAL-LIVING.COM

David Heck, Will Weinel

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Gina Sellers

ADVERTISING SALES

NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, TN, DE,VA,WV, PA, NJ: Daniel Keir | dkeir@ideal-living.com

SC, GA, FL:

Fred Warren | fwarren@ideal-living.com

Western U.S. & International: Dana Leyva | dana@ideal-living.com

Sales Coordinator: Laurie Kent

(800) 736-0321

www.rpimedia.com

The real estate projects and services advertised in this magazine constitute advertisements of the owners or their agents. RPI Media, LLC.® makes no representations or warranties concerning such advertisements. Interested parties should direct their inquiries to the appropriate parties listed for information concerning any of these advertisements. The advertisements contained construed as an offer to residents of the states of New York or New Jersey, or where otherwise prohibited by law. Questions on the availability of offers should be directed to the advertiser. Publisher’s notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal Agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.

Love Where You Live

WHERE DO YOU FEEL AT HOME?

by Kelly Godbey | kellyg@ideal-living.com

When I think of home, all kinds of images are conjured in my mind: The people I love; my family; the friendships I have nurtured over the years; new friends; the place where I live. I feel at home when I am in nature. I feel at home when I am on the ocean. I feel at home when I am on vacation. I feel at home in my mind. I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel at home in most situations. The importance of having a space where you feel at home cannot be understated. Loving where you live is paramount to a happy life.

In this issue, we explore the current home market and things you should know when buying or building a new home today. And, on October 5th at 2 pm, I will host a “Finding Your Ideal Home” webinar (page 70). Make sure to RSVP today. Please submit your questions in advance. I’ll give you even more information than this issue has space for.

Ten thousand baby boomers are retiring daily, which is expected to continue into the 2030s. That high demand is still driving home prices and availability. In the “750 is the new 500” article (on page 96), we explore the demand in new home communities nationwide. When people search for new homes, luxury is at the top of their minds. Whether you might be interested in a luxurious place with fabulous outdoor living in Greece (p. 32), or maybe in Texas (p64), Ideal-LIVING truly has something for everyone.

Start living the life you want today. Don’t delay your pursuit of your ideal destination, life, and home.

Kelly Godbey feels “at home on the ocean,” paddleboarding at sunrise or walking in nature.

COMMUNITY AMENITIES

• Private Cascade Clubhouse featuring:

- Event kitchen

- Lounging area with fireplace

- Yoga room & weight room

- Game room

- Sundeck with fire pits

- Oversized chess/checkers board

- 2 Pickleball courts & bocce ball courts

• 2 Community pools

• Miles of walking and biking trails

• Grounds Bistro & Café

• Dog parks

• Community Garden

• 15+ Parks and playgrounds

• Embrey Mill Town Center with Publix Super Market

This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in Embrey Mill to residents of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Oregon, or in any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. No guarantee can be made that completion of the Embrey Mill community will proceed as described. NASH Stafford, LLC (“Fee Owner(s)”) is the owner and developer of the Embrey Mill Community (“Community”). Certain homebuilders unaffiliated with the Fee Owner or its related entities (collectively, “Embrey Mill”) are building homes in the Community (“Builder(s)”). Fee Owner has retained Newland Communities solely as the property manager for the Community. North America Sekisui House has an interest in one of the members in Fee Owner. Newland Communities and North America Sekisui House are not co-developing, co-building or otherwise responsible for any of the obligations or representations of any of the Builders, and shall have no obligations to any buyer regarding a home purchase from a Builder. Purchasers of homes from any of the Builders waive any claims against Newland Communities and/or North America Sekisui House arising out of their purchase transaction. Prices, specifications, details, and availability of a builder’s new homes are subject to change without notice. All square footage is approximate. © 2023 Embrey Mill. All Rights Reserved. Embrey Mill is a trademark of NASH Stafford, LLC, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without prior written permission.

Luxury Villas by Miller & Smith

Elevator Flats by Drees Homes

Find Your Ideal...

DESTINATION

Many people choose a destination that is familiar to them, like somewhere they have vacationed, while others have an extensive search starting with discovering tax-friendly states. Choose a state, then a region, and narrow down to a city and then a community.

Lake Keowee, SC

WELCOME NEIGHBORS

Ideal-LIVING welcomes the following communities. Please take the time to visit their websites, and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Ideal-LIVING.

SHELL POINT

Fort Meyers, FL

Shell Point, Florida’s premier lifecare retirement resort, offers an unparalleled lifestyle in an unparalleled waterfront setting along the Caloosahatchee River— just minutes from the Gulf of Mexico and Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Expansive river and lake views are part of Shell Point’s design, with boardwalks, bridges, and miles of scenic walking trails and bike paths connecting outdoor spaces, dog parks, and resident gardens.

Shell Point residents have access to nearly every type of recreation imaginable. A waterfront lifestyle offers fishing, boating, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing, while Shell Point’s private marina provides resident boat owners with deep-water boat dockage and direct Gulf access.

Residents can golf Shell Point’s 18-hole course, play pickleball, tennis, croquet, and bocce, or swim at the aquatic center. Shell Point’s new Wright Wellness Center encourages a healthy lifestyle with a holistic approach, staff-led personal training, and comprehensive programs. A variety of daily social, fitness, and entertainment activities are planned by a full-time resort services team, and residents stay engaged with volunteer groups and clubs for all interests.

Shell Point’s Tribby Arts Center is a world-class hub of creative and cultural activity, with a theater for live performances and dedicated studios for painting, pottery, photography, music, and more. Galleries showcase ever-changing exhibitions of works from residents, as well as regional and national artists.

Along with coastal-inspired restaurants and cafés and luxurious salons and spas, Shell Point’s active lifestyle is complemented by award-winning healthcare and a lifecare program that fits residents’ needs at all stages of life. A variety of residential options from studio residences to single-family homes are available among five distinctive neighborhoods.

In 2026, Shell Point will continue its more than 50year legacy of gracious living with the addition of Vista Cay—a collection of luxury independent living residences with sunrise or sunset coastal views. Thoughtfully designed floorplans include lofts with soaring ceilings, mid-rise residences with designer finishes, and expansive penthouses with panoramic views. Priority deposits are currently underway. ShellPoint.org

RISE TO A NEW VIEW

INTRODUCING at SHELL POINT

Shell Point is known for its serene, natural setting … and its active, vibrant lifestyle, with an array of world-class amenities. Now, Shell Point introduces Vista Cay on The Island, o ering 59 new waterfront residences with panoramic coastal views. Visit shellpoint.org or call (239) 466-1131 to learn more about resort-style retirement living, combined with the assurance of lifecare.

NOW

Learn more at shellpoint.org/VistaCay or call 1-800-780-1131 or (239) 466-1131

Community News Update

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit these amazing locations.

AMBLEBROOK EVENT SUPPORTS WORTHY CAUSES

Winding Creek | Annville, PA

The resident-run Veterans Club in the Amblebrook at Gettysburg community sponsored a BBQ event in June that raised more than $4,300 in a single day. The proceeds were donated in equal amounts to two nonprofit organizations: the local Toys for Tots program, which is nationally run by the US Marine Corps Reserve, and the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen military heroes and first responders. More than 600 volunteer hours and raffle items donated by 36 area business were contributed to the inaugural fundraiser that was attended by nearly 300 residents and guests. Amblebrook at Gettysburg is a resort-style community for active age-55+ adults located in historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

AmblebrookGettysburg.com

FLORIDA COMMUNITY OFFERS FAST ACCESS

Calesa Township | Ocala, FL

Starting on January 1, 2024, Calesa Township residents will have complimentary access to Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST), which is located adjacent to the community. This premier facility has hosted events from local swim meets to national swimming championships since opening in March 2022. Calesa Township residents will enjoy all of the standard membership benefits, including access to the pools and the FAST Fit Training Room, plus merchandise and concessions discounts, as part of their low monthly HOA fee. FAST access is the newest of the community’s healthy-lifestyle amenities, including an outdoor fitness park with a basketball court and an extensive trail network for walking, jogging, and biking. Located in Ocala, the Calesa Township master-planned community is a Colen Built Development. MyCalesa.com

Join the VIP Interest List

Gain advance access to community news, information sessions, and the opportunity to purchase before the general public.

To Learn More Visit

Now is your time... to find out where you belong.

Imagine thriving in the breathtaking countryside of middle Tennessee surrounded by rolling hills while soaking in the fresh air and warm sunshine. Now imagine discovering everyday conveniences minutes away, a lively social calendar, diverse clubs and interest groups, plus world-class amenities just steps away from home.

All of this will be waiting for you at Southern Harmony, Tennessee’s premier active adult community.

Where Music City vibrancy meets laid back Southern Charm.

WATERFRONT EVENT CENTER DEBUTS

Wellen Park | Venice, FL

The National Association of Wellen Park in August opened Solis Hall, the area’s newest waterfront event center, for community gatherings, weddings, meetings, and family reunions. Overlooking the 80-acre Grand Lake, the venue offers 4,400 square feet of indoor space beneath 25-foot-high ceilings, plus 4,000 square feet of outdoor porches and patios. Event catering is available from The Banyan House, Downtown Wellen Park’s flagship waterfront restaurant. This summer, the growing Southwest Florida master-planned community also debuted the Harvest Community Garden, the Landing Fishing Pier, and the Oakheart Nature Trail. WellenPark.com

HOME IS WHERE THE EVERYTHING IS

Like a thriving (and growing) village center, with everything from subs and sushi to a wine store and an ice cream shop. Groceries, a UF Health and a Y right down the street. And honest-to-goodness nature surrounding it all, with trails and parks weaving through the landscape. It’s a new kind of lowcountry living, where the beachy vibe of Amelia Island and the culture of Jacksonville meet comfortably in the middle. No wonder so many people follow their hearts here.

New homes from the s.

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

Fit for the Gods

New Adventure On the Isle of Crete

As Greek mythology goes, Zeus was one of the 12 great Olympians. He became almighty ruler after dethroning his father, Cronus, one of the original titans or elder gods supreme in the universe. Of course, Zeus, or Jupiter as he was known by Romans, lived atop namesake Mt. Olympus, along with the rest of his divine family of Olympians.

But it was Crete where the ruler of heaven and earth first called home. Indeed, when Zeus was born, Cronus’ sister-queen Rhea had their sixth child secretly carried off to Crete, according to classic Greek literature, upon learning Cronus believed one of his children was destined to rebel against him and decided to defy fate by swallowing them once they were born.

To be sure, the contemporary journey to Crete, the largest/most populous of Greece’s 227 inhabited islands, is nowhere near as dramatic. One constant, however, rings true about Crete, situated about 99 miles south of the Greek mainland: the island, and all Greek island living for that matter, remains an attractive place for Greek gods and mere mortals alike.

By Scott Kauffman

Case in point is the surge in visitors to Greece in 2023. Fueled by globetrotting Americans armed with a strong dollar and increasingly seeking long-haul international trips versus domestic destinations and the rest of Western Europe that traditionally migrates to the Mediterranean region for holidays and second homes, Greece is the ‘new’ Italy or Spain.

For instance, figures from travel analytics firm ForwardKeys show flight bookings to the Greek islands of Rhodes and Mykonos were more than 40% above pre-pandemic levels

during the peak summer 2023 season. Meanwhile, Greece’s Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, said that the European Union nation welcomed more than one million visitors a week in August, and two airports registered a record number of travelers. This was evidenced by the news-making crowds enduring the searing Athens heat seeking a glimpse of the iconic Acropolis.

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

Not everyone is coming to see the Acropolis or other parts of Athens, the oldest city in Europe with some 5,000 years of continuous civilization. For many, the deep-rooted hospitable nature of Greece, not to mention the archipelago’s spectacular settings and attractive year-round sunshine/dry climate, is best experienced by visiting and living on one of Greece’s innumerable islands (the country has 6,000 islands/ islets scattered in and around the Ionian and Aegean Seas).

Case in point, Greece is home to nine of the top 101 global places for summer 2023, according to a recent ForwardKeys Trends Report detailing the most popular city destinations based on search-oriented data from various travel agencies and metasearch engines. Among the trendy Greece spots were Athens (No. 10), well-known islands Thira (or Santorini, No. 63), and Mykonos (No. 71), and two cities on Crete: Heraklion, the island’s largest city and administrative capital (No. 34), and coastal Chania, the capital of the Chania Region (No. 101).

Mirum Group, one of Greece’s leading high-end hospitality-oriented developers, hopes their newly launched Elounda Hills is compelling enough to make Crete a more permanent place to live or stay. Based on initial real estate reservations since the 138-acre resort-style development was officially unveiled in July and various prestigious partners put in place, not the least of which is luxury lifestyle hotelier 1 Hotels and renowned Camper & Nicholsons Marinas, Crete’s first branded residential resort is poised for success.

According to global sales director Ricardo Severini, Elounda Hills’ official sales launch isn’t scheduled until April 2024, but thanks to an article that appeared in the London Times, “We’ve been overwhelmed with inquiries and interest and had to open a waiting list (secured with refundable $5,000 deposit).”

Situated along the picturesque northeastern coast of Crete, the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica, the ancient amphitheatrical hillside overlooking the pristine Aegean Sea naturally features a low-density sustainable development not seen before in Crete or anywhere else in this part of the eastern Mediterranean.

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

For instance, homes are being designed by award-winning European architects in line with sustainable BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and/or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) practices, and each home will be powered by renewable energy sources and showcase biophilic design inspired by authentic Cretan architecture.

Early buyers receive a complimentary electric car upon delivery of their home, and all homeowners/ investors will have access to Camper & Nicholsons’ world-class marina, complimentary year-round property management services from on-site 1 Hotels as well as preferred access to the five-star, 123-key boutique resort brand started by noted Starwood Capital Group chairman Barry Sternlicht.

So far, this unparalleled vision by the Elounda Hills team is strongly resonating worldwide, according to Severini, with U.S. and British clients representing about 70% of the initial wave of waiting list reservations, including one potential U.S. expat client booking an inspection trip for late October.

“About 80 units are now available for clients to reserve until they can come for an inspection trip and make their final decision,” Severini said in mid-August. “Astonishingly, we currently have around 40 units remaining on our waiting list for inspection trips. … The initial release of units has been expanded due to the high level of interest. We expect all units to be on hold in the next six months.”

Among the available residential homes are apartments and villas ranging in size from 882 square feet to 3,422 square feet, with spacious one-bedroom residences priced from 495,000 Euros (approximately $537,000) and detached single-family villas with Mirabello Bay views starting at $1.8 million Euros (approximately $1.95 million). Phase one is scheduled

for completion in 2026, along with the new Kastelli International Airport, located about 30 minutes from Elounda Hills.

One significant advantage for expats interested in buying property in Greece is the Greek Golden Visa program, which is particularly beneficial for those outside the European Union. Severini says this program allows buyers to acquire a “powerful Greek passport and a second citizenship with an investment of only 250,000 Euros (approximately $272,000).”

He added: “When you invest in one of our properties, your residency is included. Additionally, there are advantageous tax regulations such as the Non-Dom Tax Regime. This allows high net-worth individuals to pay a fixed tax of €100,000 per tax year (approx. $109,000), regardless of their global income.”

The latter element appeals to high-net-worth individuals, partly explaining why some 75% of Elounda Hills’ clients are cash buyers. For those needing financing, Severini’s team can offer a 10% down payment option, with the purchase balance “divided into 24 monthly payments over two years, all at 0% interest.”

Angelos Angelidakis, chief executive officer and development director for Athens-based Mirum Hellas, developer of high-end hospitality, is thrilled with the initial soft rollout and can’t wait to “deliver the Elounda Hills project to our guests.” “Our partnership with 1 Hotels and Camper & Nicholson Marinas will set a new benchmark for real estate in Greece and put the island on the map as an international luxury destination,” Angelidakis told Resort Living magazine. “Our goal is to create a sustainable destination that perfectly matches the awesome Cretan scenery and provides high-end hospitality to our guests and visitors. We strongly believe that Elounda Hills will be the best resort in the Eastern Mediterranean, and our partnerships will be the perfect means to succeed our goal.”

Life in the Lowcountry

by Sam Crawford

Dawn is an event every day in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Even before the sun peeks over the horizon, the sky is streaked with vivid reds and golds while a symphony of birdsong fills the treetops all around. On open decks and covered porches throughout the Lowcountry, rested residents sip on coffee and fill their lungs with clean, salt-tinged air. It’s an invigorating morning mix, an invitation to exercise the body and the spirit. Maybe not right away, but soon enough...

Time seems to flow a little more slowly in the Lowcountry because, in a way, it does. Arriving a few minutes late for an appointment is not considered impolite if you stopped to visit with a neighbor or pick up some fresh tomatoes at a roadside market. It’s a pace of life that acknowledges the existence of the clock but not its absolute dominance. Hurrying around may occasionally be required, but it’s usually not all that necessary and might even raise a sweat when the air is humid. Probably not the best way to run a business or a battleship, but it works in the Lowcountry by mutual consent.

The Lowcountry of South Carolina covers the state’s entire coastline, except for the Grand Strand around Myrtle Beach. From Pawleys in the north to Daufuskie in the south, the seaside region is fronted by a network of barrier islands and backed up by vast tidal wetlands, much of which, somewhat miraculously, continue to thrive in the 21st century. When freshwater rivers and streams meet the ocean, they create huge nurseries of life in prairies of seagrass and maritime forests of cypress and oak. Of course, some sensitive areas have been lost to human development, but fairly strict environmental regulations protect hundreds of thousands of acres—and have been for decades. Lowcountry residents may sometimes quibble about the extent of those restrictions, but never about their necessity.

The Lowcountry’s climate is defined as “semi-tropical,” but it’s not the endless summer of the Caribbean Isles. There are four distinct seasons

here, all moderated by the ocean tides that push up past the beaches into the estuaries and marshlands for dozens of miles—twice a day, every day. That bloodstream of water helps to keep the winters mild, with nighttime temperatures only occasionally dipping below freezing. Spring is simply glorious. And, yes, it’s pretty warm from June to August, but there’s often a sea breeze or an afternoon shower (or an air conditioner) to cool things down. Autumn is comfortably sunny on most days, a favorite time of the year for many residents.

Long-time Charlestonians will tell you that their Holy City is located “where the Ashley and Cooper rivers come together to form the Atlantic Ocean.” Actually, Charleston is a bucket-list tourist destination with unsurpassed historic sites and cultural amenities. Still, it’s also a dynamic modern city with major corporate employers and world-class medical centers. With that best-of-both-worlds appeal, new residents

...glimpse the South Carolina Lowcountry, a salty slice of America where historic and modern, natural and man-made, native and migrant, opera and blues all coexist in a harmony that may not quite be perfect, but is at least reasonably balanced.

in the Charleston area include working families seeking better jobs and retirees who want to sleep in their own beds after an evening stroll along The Battery or a night at the opera during Spoleto.

There’s still a more traditional Lowcountry lifestyle to be found in nearby places like Summerville and the Isle of Palms, upscale Kiawah, and laid-back Edisto Beach. But, if you’re looking for the “heart of the Lowcountry” today, Beaufort might best fit that bill. The

whole downtown area is a National Historic Landmark with museums, homes, lively Bay Street seafood restaurants, and the Pat Conroy Literary Center. Yes, there are the usual big-box stores and fast-food chains just outside of town, but there’s also the Highway 52 Drive-In movie theater, one of the last of its kind. And in the nearby wetlands, there are entire islands—Dataw, Callawassie, and Coosaw among them—where residential communities and golf courses have been built without disturbing hundred-year-old live oaks and tidal creeks where the dolphin still fish and play.

The southern half of Beaufort County is another of those interesting Lowcountry contrasts. Hilton Head Island is home to oceanfront golf resorts and some of the South’s first modern retirement communities like Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, and Port Royal. But by the mid-1980s, developers and retirees alike realized that there was a limit to growth that the island’s infrastructure and ambiance could sustain. The result is that Hilton Head today looks much like it did then, but the once sleepy little town of Bluffton on the mainland is now filled with master-planned bedroom communities that emulate the original Hilton Head models. Yet, in typical Lowcountry fashion, those new enclaves surround an Old Town center where you can browse a local art gallery, order fresh oysters for dinner, and relax with a blues band playing the classics.

So, that’s a glimpse of the South Carolina Lowcountry, a salty slice of America where historic and modern, natural and man-made, native and migrant, opera and blues all coexist in a harmony that may not quite be perfect, but is at least reasonably balanced. It’s a destination that you’re welcomed to visit, but please leave your anxieties at home. And, if, like so many before, you decide to stay longer, then be prepared to embrace a different rhythm of life and a fresh reverence for your new surroundings. The Lowcountry isn’t a magic kingdom or a heaven on earth, but it’s still a pretty cool place to be, even on a hot summer day.

Six miles from historic Beaufort, South Carolina

Dataw Island is a gated golf, tennis & boating community located six miles east of the historic Lowcountry town of Beaufort, SC. Between Hilton Head, Savannah, and Charleston and close to the beach, shopping, history, and fine & performing arts. Steeped in natural beauty, Dataw Island is a neighborhood full of activity in tranquil surrounds. Enjoy scenic golf courses by Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills - challenging enough for the avid golfer, yet accessible for those just learning. Also featuring world-class Tennis and Croquet, a full-service Marina, and our newest club sports - Bocce and Pickleball!

Homes available from the $400s to $2million. Dataw Island: created by nature, and reserved for you!

“Club of the Year” (South Carolina Golf Association)

“Top Community to Follow Your Passion: Charitable Giving” (Golf Home Network)

“Outstanding Tennis Facility” (USTA)

“Best Kayaking”; “Best Island Community”;

“Best Health & Wellness” (ideal-LIVING)

“Best Community”

“Best Golf Course”

“Best Tennis Pro” (Beaufort Gazette)

It has taken you 55+ years to land at this very moment. Ready to take every day experiences to new heights. And for us at Miller & Smith, we’ve spent 55+ years creating a sense of place at home, to make life sing. Get ready for what’s next. Courtyard Homes, Elevator Brownstones, and Elevator Single Family Homes, rooted in one amazing Birchwood at Brambleton lifestyle. Now Selling from the $700s

Find Your Ideal... LIFE

Take five minutes and envision what you want your new life to be like from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed. Smell the air, hear the birds, and place yourself in a new world of your making. Now it’s time to make that vision a reality.

Stunning Mountain Golf

By JG Walker

Currahee is a Cherokee Indian word that means “stand alone” and that’s certainly an accurate description of Currahee Club’s centerpiece layout. For renowned architect Jim Fazio, who has built award-winning courses around the world, the private Currahee Club golf course may represent the pinnacle of his impressive design career. From the first tee box to the elevated green on No. 18, golfers often pause to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Appalachian foothills and Lake Hartwell. But, the Currahee Club course isn’t just a beauty show because this 7,513yard layout is a real test of power and skill for even low-handicap players from the championship tees. Fortunately for the rest of us, Fazio’s skillful locations for the member tees shorten the total course length by up to a thousand yards without diminishing its splendor by an inch.

Levi Huff is the first assistant golf professional at Currahee Club. “You may find golf courses with faster

The forested north Georgia highlands above Atlanta is where you’ll find Currahee Club and one of the South’s most spectacular mountain golf courses.

greens,” he says, “but it’s nearly impossible to find one with views as stunning as we have here at Currahee Club. And, I want to emphasize what a great job our staff does maintaining the entire course so that we can consistently offer members and their guests the very best playing conditions. I think we have the finest fairways and the smoothest bent grass greens of any course in the region.”

Huff also cited the year-round schedule of golf events for men, women, and couples that keep Currahee Club members active and engaged. In addition to regular club tournaments, members organize and host competitions that welcome players from other golf clubs in north Georgia, as well as nearby Upstate South Carolina.

a round on the course. In addition to the full-service pro shop and spacious locker rooms for men and women, the clubhouse also has meeting space where members can enjoy culinary classes, wine tastings, guest speakers, and special events that highlight the club’s lively calendar of social activities.

The five-acre Currahee Club Sports Complex is a hub of family recreational activity that features a kid’s playground, a saltwater swimming pool, and courts for tennis, volleyball, and basketball. The facility’s Wellness Center has the latest workout equipment and fitness classes, while the Canoe Bar & Grill offers healthy lunch items and afternoon treats. An equally popular daytime destination is the Currahee Lake Park & Pavilion, where you can swim in the crystal-clear water, launch a kayak, or reserve a boat for a fishing trip on the 56,000-acre Lake Hartwell. At both the Sports Complex and Lake Park, there are access points for the miles of shaded walking trails that traverse the entire Currahee Club property.

The currently available homesites at Currahee Club include choice locations with mountain, lake, and golf course views. Featured community builders offer a variety of customizable floor plans or will help you create your own unique dream home. A limited number of spacious move-in-ready homes and two-bedroom condominiums are also available.

“We’re especially happy about the growing number of women members who are taking up the game and participating in our golf programs,” Huff says. “We’ve held instructional clinics and every Tuesday on the course is Ladies Day, with pink flags on the greens and a clubhouse mixer afterwards. And that’s just one of the weekly social events that I think make the club such enjoyable experience for our members on and off the course.”

Currahee Club is a private golf community with a 48,000-square-foot clubhouse that’s the center of social life for its members. Perched on a hilltop high above the lake, the Currahee Clubhouse offers a gourmet menu at the Overlook Dining Room. Savory dishes created by the club chefs often include fresh vegetables from the community garden. The golf-themed Fazio Pub is a favorite gathering spot after dinner or

Tracy Stephens is the broker-in-charge for Currahee Club Realty. “When my clients buy property at Currahee Club,” she says, “I ask why they chose it. They often say, ‘I want my children to love visiting us.’ Later, they return and say, ‘Everyday life at Currahee feels like a vacation.’”

Resident and non-resident member plans are offered at Currahee Club, which also hosts wedding parties, corporate retreats, and golf outings. For those events and visitors who want to preview the Currahee Club lifestyle, exclusive on-site accommodations options can include lakeside lodges, greenside cabins, and the 19th Hole Inn.

Located just a short drive from the delightful north Georgia town of Toccoa and about 90 miles from Atlanta’s world-class medical centers and cultural venues, Currahee Club is a private mountain golf and residential community that is—quite literally—above the rest.

FINE HOMES FROM $550,000+

Six Simple Money-Saving Ideas

By Jan Cullinane

There’s a strong link between wellness and wealth; financial security is linked to better health, longer lifespans, and improved life quality. Here are six ideas that won’t make you a millionaire, but WILL put a little more money into your wallet, give you a feeling of accomplishment, and make you a savvier consumer.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug costs are constantly increasing. Ask your health care provider if there is a generic drug that works just as well, which will cost considerably less. And, check websites that provide coupons for prescription drug savings. One site I have used several times is GoodRx (www.goodrx.com). I recently had my annual check-up and asked my doctor for two prescriptions: one for Scopolamine patches for motion sickness (I’m going on a cruise that will be in the North Atlantic Ocean, and I’m susceptible to motion sickness); the other for Retin-A (trying to regain the dewy complexion of my youth!). Savings? For

Scopolamine, four 1 mg/3-day patches were $65 at CVS (where I get my prescriptions). Price using GoodRx: $31.20. The other prescription was for Retin-A 0.05% cream. Regular prescription price at CVS: $85; Good RX price: $34.90. So, a savings of about $84! And, I still picked up my prescriptions at CVS—quite impressive. Another card you can try is Optum Perks discount card. When I went to their site, perks.optum.com, the price was $28.92 at Target for the Scopolamine, and $46.64 for Retin-A. I love these free and easy sites that save money.

One downside of using these discount prescription coupons can be that the cost of the drug will not count against your Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) annual deductible (which can be up to $505 in 2023). Of course, this is not important if you don’t have a Medicare Part D plan, if you don’t use enough prescription drugs to exceed your deductible, or if the drugs you buy are not covered by your Part D plan (which was the case for me with both Scopolamine and Retin-A).

Self-Storage Units

Are you like many of us who rented a self-storage unit to store household stuff you thought you’d use, and it’s all still sitting there? We were guilty of this when we moved to another state. We finally realized after several months it was a waste of money; we never went there to bring anything to our new house (or if we did, found it didn’t work with our decor). It can

be psychologically tough to get rid of items that may have served you well over the years, but take a hard look and decide if you’re REALLY ever going to use them, and think about how much you’re paying to store them. Consider making a nice contribution to a charity (Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, a Women’s Shelter, The Salvation Army, etc.), and pick up a tax deduction. It makes you feel better to donate your stuff, and your kids don’t want your stored things, either. Trust me…

Smart Thermostats

If you have a thermostat that won’t allow you to pre-program desired temperatures by time of day and day of the week, consider getting one. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 49% of your home’s energy bill is spent on cooling and heating. It’s not necessary to have room-comfortable temperatures when nobody is home. And, perhaps you prefer cooler temperatures at night for sleeping but don’t want to bother adjusting the temperature every evening and morning; in fact, it can increase comfort by having the temperature already correct when you go to sleep and again when you awake.

Get/Use a Library Card

I’ve become a huge supporter of libraries. I’m such a fan that I’ve been on the Board of Trustees of my county library for more than 10 years. Your library card is magic, free, and can save you money. Using my own library as an example: you can check out and read best-selling books, browse the latest magazines, enjoy planned, hands-on children’s activities (think quality time with grandchildren), take in a movie (my library just showed the excellent Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film “The Fabelmans”), sign up for a computer class, cooking class, yoga class, or book club. Libraries aren’t what they used to be!

The High Cost of Death

Ben Franklin famously said, “…in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” We know taxes are expensive, and if you don’t al-

ready know, funeral arrangements can be very pricey as well. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, funeral costs in 2023 average more than $11,000. Dealing with the death of a loved one is extremely difficult, but it’s a good idea to visit several acceptable funeral homes to compare services and prices. And, if you’re considering purchasing a casket, which is one of the most expensive funeral costs, you may want to consider purchasing one online for a significant savings.

In 1984, the Federal Trade Commission set forth rules that prohibit funeral homes from exerting leverage to get customers to buy services and products from them they don’t really need or want. This includes allowing you to provide your own casket, and the funeral home must accept it. Amazon, Costco, and Walmart sell caskets with delivery in as little as three days (you get quicker delivery by paying a bit more). Overnight casket delivery to the funeral home of your choice is available from Overnightcaskets.com. After you look at and price caskets at the funeral home, compare it to what you can purchase online. You can save thousands of dollars.

Newspapers

As an author and writer, I heartily support journalism. I subscribe to several print magazines and our local paper is delivered to our house each day (I love my included “Jumble” and crossword puzzle). But, consider an online subscription to a newspaper to save money. For example, if you want a major market newspaper, you can get a digital subscription to the Washington Post for $40 a month for the first year or the New York Times for $52 for the first year. Yes, the cost goes up for either of these newspapers after the first year, but it will still be much less costly than a print newspaper.

You won’t become a millionaire by instituting these changes, but “a penny saved is…” well, you know!

Jan Cullinane is an award-winning retirement author, speaker, and consultant. Her current book is The New Retirement (John Wiley and Sons, 2022).

Desirable 55+ Living Communities in Pennsylvania

YOUR NEW LIFE STARTS HERE.

Dreaming about a home designed just for you, with all the right spaces and details? When you’re planning your forever home, it should include all the features that make it uniquely yours, in a location that just feels like home.

At Landmark Homes, we’ll make sure your home re ects your life and your style. Our 55+ communities, in scenic countryside settings, offer relaxed, low-maintenance living, with bountiful opportunities to explore, connect with others, and stay involved. SCAN

CORTLAND PARK - Cumberland County, PA

• Resort-style community with private clubhouse

• Walking trails, community parks, and open space with preserved woodlands

• Single family and townhomes from the $400’s

HOME TOWNE SQUARE - Lancaster County, PA

• Community clubhouse with outdoor pool

• Walking trails, gazebos, and acres of open space

• Limited opportunities! Homes starting from the $400’s

SWEETBRIAR - Lebanon County, PA

• Community clubhouse with outdoor pool

• Walking trails, gazebos, and a scenic pond

• New Phase! 1 and 2-Story homes from the $300’s

WINDING CREEK - Lebanon County, PA

• Clubhouse with outdoor pool, pickleball, bocce ball, and putting green; walking trails with gazebos

• 1 and 2-Story homes from the $400’s

The Value of Liquidity in an Aging America

The silver tsunami is taking the U.S. and the world by storm. By 2030, one in five people in the United States will be over the age of 65. This population carries vast wealth, and thus cash home sales have soared. According to Redfin, approximately one-third of U.S. home purchases were made in cash in 2023. This begs the question: “Just because you can, does it mean you should?”

Let’s first look at why people might choose to pay in cash. For some, owning their own home outright just feels good. The housing market can be very competitive, giving cash buyers an advantage. As mortgage rates have risen, some people may want to avoid higher interest payments compared to historically low rates seen in the last three years.

What does living longer mean? That’s the same for everyone; we all need to plan and make our money last longer than previous generations. With the medical and technological advances occurring at lightning speed, we may live longer than anticipated. The increase in life expectancy creates challenges for the aging population when considering retirement savings, inflation year over year, and rising health care costs.

This brings liquidity into play. If most of your assets are tied up in your home, you may not have the cash necessary to enjoy your life as planned. According to the Natixis Center for Investor Insight, retirees need $1.1 million for retirement, but the median retirement savings is only $120,000. Using a mortgage as an estate planning tool may allow you to leverage your assets and increase flexibility.

You don’t have to pay all cash or mortgage 100% of the value of your home. There is a lot of grey area. You could make a larger down payment to reduce the interest rate or even eliminate monthly payments. And, let’s face it, the home mortgage is one of the best vehicles to lower your taxes if you itemize your deductions. You can always refinance a mortgage when interest rates decrease, start a line of credit after paying cash, or evaluate new options if your circumstances change.

When considering purchasing a new home, it’s best to explore all available options. Whether it’s paying cash, a 15- or 30-year mortgage, or a reverse mortgage, the advisors at Watermark Capital (Watermark-Capital.com) are available to answer your questions and help present all options.

The Joys of Living in a Boating Community

by Jim Dorsey | www.playground-earth.com

At the end of Oak Level Road in the picturesque town of Richmond Hill, GA (designated as Savannah’s #1 Suburb) lies Waterways, a 2300-acre private gated community with several distinctive neighborhoods featuring beautiful Lowcountry homes. A mere 30 miles south of historic Savannah, Waterways is a water lover’s paradise attracting fishing enthusiasts and boaters nationwide. This shared interest in water-related activities contributes to a strong sense of community.

Nestled amid ancient moss-draped oak hammocks along with generous parcels of native forest, this sundrenched community has over five miles of freshwa-

ter lagoons. Designed by Bill Dance, one of America’s most respected and beloved fishing legends, the meandering network of lagoons is stocked with trophy largemouth bass, providing anglers ample opportunity to sharpen their skills. There is also more than enough elbow room for kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing.

Of the numerous residents that shared their reasons for choosing Waterways were lifelong boaters Anita and Fred Church. As Anita tells it, “We fell in love with the property and its potential, the oaks with Spanish moss, and the opportunity to be on the lagoons and have access to the Intracoastal

Waterway.” The Churches can often be seen cruising along the lagoons in their 16-foot Back Bay Duffy named “San Souci” (Carefree). It makes for a charming, picture-worthy moment as they silently glide by, accompanied by friends and family.

Echoing the Churches sentiments were Anthony and Marci Arcuri who shared that they had been around boats most of their lives. When asked what drew them to Waterways, Anthony said, “We loved the neighborhoods and people, but once we saw the marina, we were sold.” Proud owners of a Sea Ray 270 Sundeck, the Arcuris can be found on the water at least twice a week.

And, Ken and Michelle Keller said, “The three things that inspired us to move to Waterways were the weather, nature, and water. The first time we drove through the gates, we knew this would likely be our new home. However, once we saw the freshwater lagoons and saltwater marshes, we immediately planned to put down roots in Waterways.”

Tim and Tammy Canfield family were part of the first hundred homes built in the neighborhood back when the Waterways marina was still on the drawing table. Their commitment to settle in Waterways before the marina was built was a testimony to their shared idea of living in a community based around water and

Hawk Island

Waterways Marina

Anita and Fred Church entertain friends in their 16-foot Back Bay Duffy named “San Souci.”

SAVOR THE SEASON IN STYLE Find Your Perfect Home in a New Lennar 55+ Community

Enjoy life your way in a new 55+ active adult community by Lennar. Connect with new friends, enjoy new journeys, and explore new possibilities. Your life has been building to this!

Thoughtfully designed homes give you the ease of living with the amenity-rich lifestyle you crave. Everything is created with your comfort and well-being in mind: clubhouses, fitness centers, pools, sports courts, parks, nearby or community golf courses, and more.

Colonial Heritage in Williamsburg, VA

Single-family and villa homes from the upper $300s

Amblebrook in Gettysburg, PA

Villa homes from the upper $300s

Single-family and villa homes from the upper $300s

Beechfield Manors in Bowie, MD

Single-family and villa homes from the upper $400s | Condos coming soon

boating. Says Tim, “We originally moved here to be near family. We also liked the vision of the community and the opportunity to fish for bass and visit the numerous barrier islands. Another plus was boating to area restaurants with family and friends.”

Waterways also offers accommodations for residents to store their kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. At Hawk Island, there are covered dry storage racks and two kayak “bars” that allow easy ingress/egress to the lagoons. The Lakewood neighborhood has an open-air storage facility with a dedicated dock and kayak bar. These convenient storage options make it easy for boaters to get on the water at any time of day.

The Waterways marina consists of two matching four-story buildings that are purpose-driven in their design yet architecturally very attractive. The marina is a full-service operation with 188 dry storage slips, a ship store, fueling, and launching facilities. A simple phone call to the marina captain or a couple of taps on the app, and within half an hour, your boat is fueled, ice is loaded in your cooler, and you are good to go for a day on the water.

For residents who do not own a boat yet would like to enjoy time on the water, the Carefree Boat Club at Waterways (carefreeboats.com) is a full-service alternative to boat ownership, providing all the fun, excitement, and rewards of boating without the cost of owning, renting, or maintaining a boat.

Adjacent to the marina is the Cottenham Exchange, a mixed-use, marsh-front destination complete with two large pools and a state-ofthe-art fitness center. There is also a poolside walk-up window serving light snacks, a wine and spirits shop, and a casual tavern, which is fast becoming the community’s go-to watering hole.

As Waterways continues to develop, there will be additional lagoons, lakes, and ponds. The lure of living near or on the water will undoubtedly bring more water-loving families looking for the good life in this beautiful and laid-back coastal community.

Step inside luxury with expertly designed main-level living, single-family homes. Offering the perfect blend of social opportunities, amenities, and nearby shopping & healthcare, these communities allow you to downsize without compromise. With included lawn care and snow removal, you can stay close to friends and family while living the carefree lifestyle you deserve.

from the $500s Bloomfields in Frederick, MD

LIVING

Live Your Best Life in Ave Maria, FL

Experience the town, meet new friends, and enjoy the festivities!

Picture this: Cul-de-sac cookout parties, clubhouse Mahjong tournaments, morning water aerobics, and weekend watermelon eating contests. What a life! For residents, neighborly gatherings and public events are a constant throughout the year to enjoy. Ave Maria Development invites visitors to sample the lifestyle at select community events open to the public.

Laughter, sizzles, sips, and guitar strokes rule the day during Ave Maria’s free signature events, Taste of Ave, Blues Brews & BBQ Festival, and Margarita & Taco Festival, where everyone enjoys the flavors, activities, and welcomeness that exemplify “A Big Kind of Small Town.’

“Belonging is a fundamental aspect of living in our growing community, and the town’s amenities and connections create that sense,” said Donna Marquez, Ave Maria Development events coordinator. “Signature events are planned to allow visitors to participate in the one-of-a-kind lifestyle.”

The Town Center is the heart of this master-planned community where people gather for weekly farmers markets, evening karaoke, comedy shows, and more.

“Getting to meet new families is always a highlight for me and my neighbors,” said Serafin Sanchez, Ave Maria resident since 2017. “Living your best life is easy to do.”

For many Ave Maria homeowners, connection and relationship building have helped define the town since its founding, and because of this, an active lifestyle is easy to come by. When you become an Ave Maria resident, more opportunities are available to join clubs and attend neighborhood gatherings.

“Ave Maria is best known for its people and the enjoyable experiences they make for others,” said Carol DiFlorio, lifestyle director for the town’s Master Association. “It’s wholesome witnessing new connections, memories, and friendships made.”

Where Luxury Meets the Outdoors

Big Easy Ranch — A Unique Luxury Sporting Club in Texas

By JG Walker

My dream for Big Easy Ranch was to create a utopia for people to escape the city and enjoy the ranch life. The goal was to have the very best amenities with an exclusive country club feel.”

Billy Brown | Big Easy Ranch Developer

Big Easy Ranch is the ultimate Texas sporting club, a 2,000-acre spread in the state’s rolling hill country. The private club features on-site hunting grounds and fishing lakes, a brandnew 18-hole golf course, and now includes the possibility of owning a homestead in this luxurious outdoor-lifestyle community.

Billy Brown is a Louisiana native who found success during his career in the oil and gas industry. The Big Easy Ranch property had been his private retreat for entertaining family, friends, and business associates for many years. But, after selling his company in 2014, the energetic Brown wasn’t ready for a quiet retirement. Instead, he set in motion a long-range plan to transform his personal oasis into a private hunting and sporting club like no other.

“My dream for Big Easy Ranch was to create a utopia for people to escape the city and enjoy the ranch life,” Brown says. “The goal was to have the very best amenities with an exclusive country club feel.”

The latest enhancement at Big Easy Ranch is The Covey, an 18-hole championship golf course that officially opened earlier this year. Designed by acclaimed golf architect Chet Williams, the sprawling 7,511-yard layout is lined with mature oak trees and accented by rocky creeks that connect greenside ponds in play. With 80-foot elevation changes and several waterfalls, the fluid layout is a scenic test for all golfers and especially challenging for scratch players from the back tees. In fact, The Covey’s debut was so impressive that the course has already been booked to host two major Texas amateur championships in the coming years.

“The addition of The Covey really advances what we can offer our members,” says Brown. “It makes the Ranch immensely appealing for players who want to enjoy a first-class golf experience in a natural setting at a leisurely pace under big blue skies.

“We went to great lengths to create a park-like setting throughout the entire course,” he adds. “It blends

so seamlessly with nature that it isn’t unusual to see a 250-class buck beside a fairway or quail running across a green. We’re doing things with The Covey that go above and beyond what anyone else has done with a Texas golf course.”

Williams had previously designed an exquisite ninehole par-3 course for Big Easy Ranch that remains a member favorite for early-morning and late-afternoon rounds. Located right beside the private golf clubhouse, the full-service facility also includes The Golf Academy instructional programs and extensive practice facilities.

But what really sets Big Easy Ranch apart are the on-site hunting grounds and fishing lakes that make it such a unique sporting destination. Experienced guides lead group hunts for quail, pheasant, and duck, as well trophy whitetail deer and other game species. There’s also a sporting clay course and a 700-yard target shooting range where hunters can improve their skills. In addition, several lakes are stocked with largemouth bass, redfish, rainbow trout, and other aquatic prizes that can be caught from docks and fishing kayaks. Bring your own hunting and fishing gear, or the Ranch staff can set you up with everything you need for a complete outdoor adventure.

The 12,000-square-foot Big Easy Lodge has a rustic elegance and is a gathering place with casual fine dining and an award-winning wine program. There’s also a lively lounge, an infinity-edge swimming pool, and a huge outdoor patio for unwinding beneath the stars. Lodge accommodations include spacious guest suites, while larger groups can stay at the Live Oak Cabin or in Bluebonnet Villa.

Big Easy Ranch is a private luxury sporting club offering individual and corporate memberships. Membership includes access to first-class sporting amenities, golf courses and services, lodging, dining, and a calendar of year-round hunting and social events.

The first 40 estate-size homesites of one acre or more

have recently been released at Big Easy Ranch, with a preferred-builder program in place to help owners create a customized primary residence or vacation home. All of the properties are just a short golf-cart ride from both the Big Easy Lodge and The Golf Academy.

Also now available are 1/8 shared-ownership villas of up to 4,000 square feet so that members and their guests have plenty of elbow room during their time at the Ranch. These well-appointed villas are a second-home option, offering owners 42 nights a year.

Within a 30-minute drive of Big Easy Ranch are several regional airports that can accommodate private jets, while Houston and its major international hub are just 90 miles east. Austin and San Antonio are about equal distances to the west. That prime location in the heart of the Texas hill country means that Big Easy Ranch is a destination that’s not hard to get to and a one-of-a-kind sporting club that you may never want to leave.

And, that’s exactly what Billy Brown set out to achieve. “With our premier hunting grounds, sports facilities, and luxury lifestyle amenities,” he concludes, “Big Easy Ranch is already in its own private-club category and is only going to get better. It’s a perfect place for a second home or a full-time residence for folks who want to enjoy life on the Ranch in all four seasons of the year.” BigEasyRanch.com

The shared-ownership villas are the eptimony of luxury at the Big Easy Ranch in the Texas Foothills.

Find Your Ideal Home WEBINAR

October 5th at 2pm EST

Are you considering relocating or purchasing a second home?

Register for this 30-minute webinar given by Ideal-LIVING magazine’s editor featuring tips on how to find the place that’s right for you. What are new home features you should look for? We’ll talk about the current real estate market around the country and internationally as well.

Kelly Godbey Ideal-LIVING EDITOR

Living beyond. Living bright.

Vibrant living coming to Venice, Florida in late 2023

Live the life you’ve dreamed of ... but better! Brightmore brings a fresh approach to 55+ living, with visionary style, to southwest Florida’s Wellen Park. Choose from single-family or low-maintenance paired villa floorplans from 1,400–2,500+ sq. ft. in this gated community. Discover a new adventure every day with fun-filled lifestyle amenities and a full social calendar. Enjoy an abundance of shopping, dining and recreation practically at your doorstep.

A short ride or walk to Downtown Wellen, the popular new destination for events and activities for all ages

Beautiful beaches are within 15 minutes

Live surrounded by endless ways to enjoy your days

Inspired future lifestyle amenities will include:

and group fitness studio | 9 pickleball courts, dog park and gathering areas | Beach-entry pool, lap pool and spa

DISCOVERY TRAVEL

ideal-LIVING invites you to get out and explore communities to find your ideal destination. You won’t know until you go. Here’s a sampling of Discovery Travel opportunities with over 100 more that can only be found online.

available only on .com/ventureout

THE PENINSULA — DELAWARE

The Peninsula on the Indian River Bay creates a lifestyle full of the activities you’ve been searching for. Come live, dine, relax, and play in this one-of-a-kind private, gated resort community in Coastal Delaware that combines best-in-class amenities with beautifully designed new homes from the $300s to $3M+. It features an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature designed golf course, racquet club with tennis and pickleball, a full service spa, state-of-the-art athletic club, indoor and outdoor pools, and sand beach. You’ll live every day like you’re vacationing in a five-star resort.

TELLICO VILLAGE — TENNESSEE

Tellico Village is Eastern Tennessee’s premier active-adult community for retirees and remote workers of any age who want to enjoy the region’s finest resort-style amenities. Tellico Village is an outdoor recreation paradise set on 4,800 acres around Tellico Lake in the Great Smoky Mountain foothills. Three lakeside golf courses host a yearround schedule of league events, plus pro and amateur championships. The Tellico Village Yacht Club, one of three community marinas, offers complete boating services and lakefront dining. Fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis/pickleball courts, and 50+ miles of local hiking trails give residents a choice of healthy activities every day of the week.

You won’t know until you go!

DISCOVERY TRAVEL

ESTRELLA — ARIZONA

Surrounded by majestic mountains and wide-open desert vistas, life in Estrella is a masterpiece of harmonious balance. Dynamic, yet serene; it offers a resort-inspired lifestyle with state-of-theart amenities. Estrella features fitness centers, resort-style pools, a waterpark, a splash pad, lap pools, more than 65+ miles of trails, and over 50+ community parks. With sports courts for basketball, tennis, volleyball, and pickleball. Estrella also has over 72 acres of lakes with complimentary usage of kayaks, paddle boats, and sailboats, an awardwinning Nicklaus Design champion golf course, restaurants, dining, shopping, great schools, and on-site and nearby medical facilities.

PGA VILLAGE VERONA — FLORIDA

Residents enjoy access to resort-style amenities that include South Florida’s largest private Pickleball Center featuring 27 courts. The Talavera fitness center includes an indoor pool, locker rooms with saunas, a cardio studio, tennis, bocce, basketball courts, and a resort-style outdoor pool with cabanas and sundeck. As the only master-planned, new home community affiliated with the PGA Golf Club, our residents enjoy golf cart access and special privileges to our award-winning neighbor. The Talavera Social Club is the perfect place to gather. Our full-time lifestyle director keeps the social calendar full of activities and events.

OCCANO — NORTH CAROLINA

Life is better on the Sound. Paradise awaits on the Inner Banks of North Carolina within the gates of Occano. This fully amenitized resort-style community on the Albemarle Sound boasts over 800 acres of residential waterfront and vast opportunities to connect with water, nature, and those you love most. Occano is home to an award-winning Arnold Palmer Signature golf course. Come experience a round and take in the impressive water views throughout the course. With luxury amenities set against the stunning Albemarle Sound, Occano has something for everyone.

SERENITY BEACH — BAHAMAS

In the Bahamas, Serenity Beach Resort is located 30 minutes south of Marsh Harbour, Abaco. It is a master-planned luxury resort and residential community featuring private residences, luxury boutique hotels, multiple restaurants, and bars across 120 pristine acres. It has almost 3,000 feet of beach frontage on a two-mile sugar-white sand bay. Dining can be enjoyed beachside at the grill or ridge-top in the clubhouse with an executive chef. All of your activities are hosted by the guides and Serenity Beach team, including bonefishing, sailing, island hopping, sunset cruises, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and nature hikes.

To find more than 100 Discovery Travel opportunities, visit ideal-LIVING.com/ventureout

Find Your Ideal... HOME

Envision your ideal home. Would it have a fabulous outdoor living area where you can entertain your new friends? What about an open floor plan? How much space do you need? Would you like to downsize?

10

Things to Look for in a New Home

By Warren Grant

While every buyer of a new home has their own priorities for design and function, there are some prevailing commonalities among most buyers. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders queried over 3,000 potential buyers in researching a study entitled “What Homebuyers Really Want.” We’ll share some of that insight – plus some fresh thoughts for the 55+ buyers.

Quality of Builder

Whether you are looking for a new build, a spec home, or a resale, your home search begins with qualifying the builder. First, check to ensure they are licensed by the state, bonded, and provide liability insurance. Then, ask your realtor to connect you with the buyers of other homes from the builder for endorsements. The more prominent nationwide builders have excellent reputations, but the smaller firms require your due diligence.

Orientation of Home

The orientation of a house on a homesite is a vital consideration in your search. Are there tight lot lines that will have you looking at your neighbor’s house instead of green space? Is there a steep driveway that may be a challenge as you age? Is the lot framed by a beautiful creek that could flood years later? Do the main living areas have a southern exposure to take advantage of warming light in the cooler seasons?

Ability to Age in Place

With seniors living longer, it is a tremendous bonus if a home is designed with Aging in Place protocols. You’ll foremost want main living on a single story, with no interior steps and at least 36”-wide doors and hallways. Why not add blocking behind a wall that can anchor a grab bar or handrail in 20 years? And, design for 5’ by 5’ turning space in most rooms. You will also want a curbless shower entry, plus interior thresholds no more than a quarter inch in height. Reach out to a certified ‘Aging in Place’ professional for myriad other considerations.

Laundry Room

According to the NAHB survey, a generous and functional laundry room is the most desired feature in a home. The ideal laundry room space is on the main floor, near the bedrooms, and includes an energy efficient washer and dryer, utility sink, and a folding table or countertops. Stock wall cabinets and sturdy shelving from the home center will enhance the room for not a lot of money. And don’t forget an exhaust fan.

Kitchen Pantry/Storage

The utilitarian kitchen pantry is tied for third on the NAHB desire survey, home to canned goods, pastas and rice, flour, olive oil, chicken broth, cereal, potatoes, and more. A large enough pantry can even store small appliances like a blender or toaster to free up counter space in the kitchen. In addition to the pantry, lots of valuable storage space throughout the house is a must, especially for those downsizing from their large family home.

Energy Efficiencies

Energy-efficient windows and doors can reduce annual heating and cooling costs by 12%. And, the latest major appliances save considerable amounts of water and electricity. A lot of credit goes to ENERGY STAR, a public-private partnership that sets strict energy-efficiency specifications on everything from televisions and smart thermostats to dishwashers and light fixtures. Remodeling? Look for the blue ENERGY STAR logo at your local home center. www.EnergyStar.gov

Outdoor Living

The pandemic certainly taught us that outdoor living spaces extending your home’s breadth are priceless. Look for at least a concrete patio, pavers, or wood deck to add outdoor heating, furnishings, and appliances. The addition of a retaining wall provides extra seating. And, add extra credit for a home that offers hideaway sliding doors to integrate indoors and out.

Outdoor Lighting

Tied for 1st in the NAHB survey, outdoor lighting serves as an aesthetic accent to a home’s exterior surfaces and landscaping while adding a measure of security and safety. Look for walkway and step lights that lead to entryways, path lights to a beautiful garden, up lights to show off specimen trees, and sconces to illuminate your outdoor living area. Motion-sensor floodlights protect your home against intruders.

Bonus Room

A bonus room, or flex space, is valuable and versatile square footage in your new home. For many, the bonus room is dedicated as a guest suite, although some don’t come with a closet. But a well-positioned armoire can fix that. A bonus room can also make for a great home office, crafting room, personal fitness room, music room, or game room.

Flooring

Of all the emerging innovations in home building, perhaps flooring has come the farthest fastest. Traditional solid hardwood floors in oak, cherry, walnut, and maple still reign in elegance, durability, longevity, and of course cost. But, engineered hardwood floors are a close second, followed by vinyl, cork, and perhaps even carpet for the bedroom or family room.

IT’S YOUR MOVE

If you’d rather work on your forehand than floor repair, Cresswind makes it easy to find your next adventure, new home and fun. This is active adult living designed for the way you want to live.

Visit Cresswind.com to start your search, get a FREE guide with tips on finding the right community and schedule an online or in-person tour.

SCAN TO PREVIEW COMMUNITIES

NEW HOMES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS

New or Pre-owned?

By Scott Kauffman

Ever since America became a voracious consumer of durable goods, material things that come in all shapes, sizes, and price tags, one of the age-old consumer dilemmas is whether to buy new or used.

Indeed, whether it’s buying cars, clothes, jewelry, consumer electronics, furniture, and so many other types of things Americans just have to have, there are endless options and considerations that need to be made prior to purchasing something second-hand or brand new. Buying a home is no different.

To be sure, purchasing a primary home or even a vacation/investment property usually represents one of the largest single purchases anyone will ever make in their life. So, it’s far different from buying that fancy new outfit or piece of furniture.

Nevertheless, the same pros-and-cons analysis

applies to all of the above, especially for those bigger-ticket items like a house. So, what’s best when it comes to the homebuying process?

Is it wiser to go with a newly constructed home, for example, in a planned development or subdivision in the suburbs? Or, is a homebuyer better off purchasing an existing home somewhere in a more established neighborhood?

The answer is neither of them is necessarily the wiser choice to make. There’s truly no right or wrong path to take in the painstaking homebuying process because it ultimately comes down to one’s personal preference and/or family dynamics.

Of course, for many budget-minded consumers, the bottom line drives most purchasing decisions, especially regarding cars and real estate. Interestingly, based on recent monthly sales reports from the Na-

New Home in River Landing | Wallace, NC

tional Association of Realtors and U.S. Census Bureau/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, existing single-family homes are purchased at nearly six times the rate of new homes.

For instance, government data shows sales of single-family houses in June 2023 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 697,000, while the NAR’s July 2023 report showed total existing-home sales - completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops – were pacing at the seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.16 million.

Yet, what’s most striking about the disproportionate share of existing homes being purchased is that new and existing homes have similar median price points. For example, in the July report released by the government, the median sales price of new houses sold in June 2023 was $432,000; the NAR, meanwhile, reported the median sales price of an existing home for June was $413,800, the second-highest price ever recorded, since January 1999 when NAR began tracking the data, and 0.9% less than the all-time high from June 2022’s peak.

So, if the ultimate sales prices appear to align with each other, why are Americans buying six times the rate of older homes? Again, it comes down to preference. Or, in many respects, what’s available.

According to the NAR’s recently released “Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends” report, 41% of all buyers who purchased new homes did so to

“avoid renovations and problems with plumbing or electricity.” Conversely, 31% of buyers who purchased previously owned homes were mostly influenced by “better price.”

The next most common motivating factors behind new home purchases for buyers of all ages: “lack of inventory,” 27%, and “ability to choose and customize design features,” 25%. For previously owned homes, the following are the main drivers: “better overall value,” at 28%, with “more charm/character” and “lack of inventory,” tied at 19%.

There are numerous pros/cons between the two types of homes. For instance, new homes in planned developments often feature valued lifestyle amenities like clubhouses, pools, and playgrounds, and developers/home builders behind these communities can offer attractive financial incentives and/or flexible finance-related options.

On the other hand, older homes in matured residential areas tend to have more desirable locations and could be closer to city centers, grocery stores, restaurants, or other attractions. Moreover, these types of homes can lend themselves to having larger land footprints and just more affordability in general, based on the condition/age of the home.

Whichever path one takes to homeownership, are you ever making the wrong decision if it fulfills a dream, or in this case, the so-called American Dream?

K. Hovnanian®’s Four Seasons at Orlando

Building Forever with Miller and Smith

By Cecilia Beard

Choosing the right home builder is a critical decision for anyone; it’s choosing the right partner to make your dream home a reality. But, when building your retirement home, it’s fair to say the stakes are even higher.

Moving from Brooklyn to be closer to family, Irene and Richard (Dick) Sena already had two home builds under their belts. The couple knew what they wanted from their forever home, and their future home builders had high expectations to meet. After copious research, conversations with friends, and neighborhood peruses, the couple eventually landed on Miller & Smith. And, it was love at first sight.

Buyer Meets Builder

Miller & Smith, a prominent builder and developer in northern Virginia and Maryland, has been in business since 1964. Since then, the company has developed over 130 communities and worked with 20,000 home buyers. The Senas first came across Miller & Smith through friends. “We just loved [the homes],” Irene said. “And amazingly, they reminded us of Brooklyn.”

After meeting with a competitor in the area, the Senas stepped into Miller & Smith’s sales center and immediately felt at ease. “They were the most open with sharing their plans. We’ve literally crawled over [the plans] for hours,” Irene said.

But the Senas had high expectations. Reflecting on their first two builds—a colonial and a patio home—the couple wanted a home with more space, a basement, and an elevator that still suited their architectural tastes. Miller & Smith’s Delano model, a single-family production home, fit the criteria. Still, the relationships they built with the company through employees like Eric Hansen, the new home sales manager, and Mike Anderson, the regional production manager, sealed the deal.

“What gave me a really good feeling about [Miller & Smith] was their personal approach to handling and guiding a buyer,” Dick said. “They plan for the buyer to be part of the process.”

Building Relationships

The Senas knew they’d made the right decision after sitting down with Hansen to parse out the details of their new home. “Eric is extraordinary,” Irene Sena said. With almost 17 years of experience at the company, Eric gracefully guided the Senas through their sales agreement and selections and took the time to get to know the couple and their needs.

“They actually get to know you quite well,” Irene said. Eric also quickly learned that Dick, an engineer by trade, was a details man. “He always came in with his book to go over any questions, which I love, because then I know they’re really in tune with everything,” Eric said.

Style Meets Function

The first meeting with Hansen spanned three hours of the couple going through the development plans and virtual models. “The patience [Eric] has,” Irene said, laughing. From there, Eric brought the home to life, tape measure in

hand, scaling the rooms to help the couple get a feel for their new home. “[He] really got us to where we could imagine the look of the room.”

Regarding the company’s design approach, Dick explained, “They give you an explanation of the variation in design and the features as opposed to yourself trying to figure it out.” With other home builders, the couple did not experience this same openness.

The Senas sat with Hansen to choose everything from their countertops and cabinets to their flooring and light fixtures. “It’s a fun process,” Eric explained. “We just sort of watch their facial expressions. We can see when [buyers] light up.” The building process began after a few additional meetings and the couple’s final sign-off on their selections.

The couple’s new home, located in one of Miller & Smith’s 55-and-over communities, has a timeless, contemporary feel with 12-foot ceilings and a beautiful stone exterior. The home will also have the sought-after basement, an HVAC system on both floors, and “the mother of all pantries,” Irene said. “I think I could hold dance class in there. It’s so huge.”

Keeping Lines of Communication Open

Once the dust settled with the company’s purchasing team—sussing out the subcontractors, trades, and materials—Mike Anderson became the Sena’s next point of contact. As the regional production Manager, Mike oversees 30 homes on average, including the Sena’s home. “I bought my own house. I built my own house, so I understand the process the homeowners are going through,” Mike said.

He prioritized open communication with the couple at every opportunity. Boasting another 30 years of work experience at Miller & Smith, Mike noted how much smoother home builds run when the buyers understand the processes. “I see [Dick] at least once or twice a week. We always take the time to sit down and talk with him, make sure he doesn’t have any questions,” Mike said.

And, the Senas noticed. As the couple recounted their experience with the company, it always came back to their professionalism and willingness to explain. “They had no problem with my questioning different functional features,” Dick said.

Just Checking In!

Miller & Smith made checking in with buyers a core part of their building process. The company facilitates two industry-standard walkthroughs with buyers: a pre-construction meeting to review blueprints and a pre-drywall meeting with the superintendent. But, per the company’s open communication ethos, Mike also embraces when a buyer comes on-site at other milestones.

Rigorous internal check-ins define the Miller & Smith process as well. Mike spoke about “double-checking, triple-checking” the build throughout the stages, alongside follow-up checks conducted by his assistant. Seven years ago, the company implemented an additional third-party review with over 1,000 items to inspect, and home buyers have never been happier during their pre-settlement walkthroughs.

Building Homes, Building Community

As their home’s building process began to near the finish line, the Senas spoke about their overall experience with Eric, Mike, and Miller & Smith. “They want to accommodate you; they really want to make you happy,” Irene said. “They’re part of the community. You’re part of the community. You’re almost family.” Mike echoed this, saying, “It’s not just building a house. It’s building someone’s future.”

Miller & Smith brought the Sena’s retirement home to life with meticulous planning and open communication. Guided by experts like Eric Hansen and Mike Anderson, the process showcased their dedication and years of experience. Beyond construction, Miller & Smith gave the Senas their true forever home.

“It’s not just building a house. It’s building someone’s future,” Mike Anderson said.

Like many areas around the country, lifestyle is the driving force that attracts people to a community. For many years, Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding counties have seen phenomenal growth due to the lifestyle afforded there. And, the master-planned communities in this area show no sign of slowing down any time soon. Just 10 minutes from the historic river-

front with all its restaurants, bars, and cultural venues, sits Compass Pointe, a bastion for resort-style living on the Carolina coast. As inventory of existing homes remains quite low, the best bet to homeownership is purchasing a homesite and building a new home.

But, when it comes to building a home with all of the personal touches that make it yours, it’s important to find a builder that puts the homeowner first. One such builder that happens to be on the Compass Pointe preferred builder list is Liberty Homes. Their slogan “Vision, Value, and Excellence,” is apparent when speaking with the founder and manager partner Roger James. He says, “One of our goals is to keep our customers happy, now and in the future.” He says, “We’re not a production builder and we’re not a custom builder. We’re a semi-custom builder. We have 15 designs to choose from, and the homeowner can make all of the choices that they want. If they want to add three feet to the kitchen, or make an island bigger, we can do that. Almost all of the time the answer is ‘yes’ to the customer, it’s just a question of the budget.”

Originally from Long Island, Roger James relocated to the Wilmington area 25 years ago and has been building homes for about the last 20 years. He takes pride in stick-building each home. Liberty Homes only builds between 24 and 36 houses a year, so they are able modify just about any plan they have to meet the needs and desires of the homeowner. Most people only want a few changes, but recently they built a home with 69 changes.

What do Homeowners Want In a New Home?

“A lot of our customers are coming from very substantial homes in the North, so they are usually downsizing, but don’t want to sacrifice all of the bells and whistles. They no longer need 6,000 square feet, but can settle with 3,000.” Liberty Homes’ floor plans range from around 1,900 square feet to 5,000 square feet. Because they offer so many options, you could be standing in front of two or three homes all with the same plan and never know it. According to James, “Homeowners want very nice kitchens, large islands, and outdoor living spaces.”

The Design Process

DAY ONE: The site visit. Liberty Homes will stake out the entire home plan, so the homeowners can see the view from the kitchen and where the sun light comes in the morning or evening. That way if the homeowner wants to change the orientation of the home to take advantage of the view of the lake, they can make those changes at that point. This is a very important step that can’t be changed after the fact.

DAY TWO: The homebuyer will start with a visit to the Liberty Homes design center, where they can choose everything from cabinetry to colors to lighting fixtures to siding and window choices. Liberty Homes has about 30 pages worth of decisions for the homeowner to make sure that they are getting everything they want.

DAY THREE: This might involve a trip to a model home or to visit an existing home to check out what the products look like in an existing home. Then, the homeowner can make any adjustments to the plans at that time. Roger says, “Most of the time we take people to model homes. Now, we always don’t have 15 model homes to show people, but we do have a tremendous amount of loyal Liberty customers who say, ‘If you need somebody to walk through our house, we’re very happy to show our home.” Even if you are living far away during the building process, Liberty Homes has an app that the homeowners can check to see the daily progress of their new home.

Roger James says, “It might take between eight months to over a year to build a new home, depending on the number of changes to the plans. We don’t build a fast house. We build a great house. ”

What Do Today’s Buyers Want?

Minto Homes: The Perfect Blend of Modern Living and Island Style

Written by Paula Robertson | Photographed by Rob Harris

“Minto listens very closely to what our homebuyers and prospective buyers want in their homes and communities,” notes Minto USA Southeast Division President Steve Svopa. “We do this through direct engagement as well as formal surveys. Minto has found that today’s homebuyers are seeking well-thoughtout, master-planned, eco-friendly communities that include quality, energy-efficient, low-maintenance homes, resort-style amenities, walkable neighborhoods, and natural outdoor spaces where they can enjoy nature and engage in outdoor activities.”

Buyers are also looking for a positive, no-pressure experience that begins upon entering the sales center and continues through the sales experience, construction process, and home ownership. Minto consistently receives the Eliant Homebuyers’ Choice Awards presented annually to home builders judged by their

homebuyers to have provided the best customer experience.

Also rating high on buyers’ checklists are overall community design, amenities, and lifestyle. All Minto communities include a significant overall lifestyle component and resort-style amenities that promote neighborly interaction. Buyers love the home designs at Minto’s Latitude Margaritaville communities. However, they are also choosing the community for the island-inspired lifestyle of fun, food, music, and friends, a full-time lifestyle director who orchestrates daily activities, and resort-style amenities that make every day feel like a vacation.

Minto has found that their homebuyers also want modern-living homes with high ceilings and lots of windows to bring in maximum natural light. Other in-demand home features include:

Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach

Westlake Adventure Park

Isles of Collier Preserve

Floor Plans

Open, flowing floor plans that maximize natural light are very popular with Minto homebuyers. Minto homes are designed for relaxing at home, entertaining friends and family, and hosting house guests. Outdoor living areas are seamlessly connected to indoor areas, and private guest retreats provide a “vacation getaway” environment that enhances daily living and delights guests.

Large Garages

Large garages are here to stay — especially in Florida, where homes don’t have basements to store those extra items that people simply cannot part with. Minto homes offer two- or three-car garages for extra storage and to accommodate golf carts since many Minto communities are golf cart-friendly.

Bathrooms

Popular bathroom features in Minto homes include large walk-in showers, soaking tubs, double sinks, and makeup stations. En suite, spacious bathrooms are included in many of the secondary bedrooms.

Formal Areas

Some homebuyers still like to have a formal dining room and living room, as well as a great room or family room. These more formal spaces are now somewhat smaller than the large living and dining rooms of the past because of today’s more casual approach to living and entertaining as well as the desire for more connected spaces.

Primary Suites

Minto primary suites include luxurious bedrooms with coffered ceilings, recessed lighting, and dressing areas with double walk-in closets. Spacious en suite baths include double vanities, soaking tubs, and large walk-in showers.

Kitchens

Minto’s highly functional and architecturally striking gourmet kitchens include multi-functional, easy-access cabinets, expansive service and seating islands, and large pantries.

Minto has master-planned communities in Naples, Westlake, and Daytona Beach, FL, and near Hilton Head Island, SC. Homes range in price from the $300s to the $900s. Minto homes and communities address a range of lifestyle needs from family living to multi-generational living and active adults 55+.

The Isles of Collier Preserve in Naples, FL, is a nature-centric community with miles of walking, biking paths, and waterways that includes attached cottages and villas, from 1,205 square feet to 1,864 square feet, and single-family homes from 2,016 square feet to 2,847 square feet. Pricing is from $489,990 to $924,900.

At Westlake in Palm Beach County, FL, Minto is actually developing a new city from the ground up. This community includes townhomes from 1,669 square feet to 2,113 square feet, single family homes from 1,644 square feet to 4,314 square feet, and estate homes from 2,703 square feet to 4,548 square feet. Homes are priced from $427,990 to $959,990.

Latitude Margaritaville active-adult communities are currently open in Daytona Beach and Watersound, FL and near Hilton Head, SC. These communities, inspired by the lyrics of Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for escape and relaxation, are for those who are growing older, but not up. They include attached cottages and villas from 1,210 square feet to 1,865 square feet and single-family homes from 1,685 square feet to 2,568 square feet. Base pricing is from the $300s to the $500s.

What is it like buying in today’s market?

Master developer/builder Minto Communities USA, based in Florida since 1978, has built more than 33,000 homes in 48 communities in Florida and South Carolina, with expansion plans underway in the Texas market. Four of Minto’s five newest master-planned communities were recognized among the top 25 master-planned communities in the U.S. in 2023 on the prestigious John Burns Top 50 Master-Planned Communities list.

According to David Pisano, Latitude Margaritaville Vice President of Sales, a top item on homebuyer lists is good price/value. “Based on the national median for home pricing, Minto is in the sweet spot. Prices have gone up everywhere, but in the context of the overall market, Minto communities and homes provide an exceptional value,” says Pisano.

Minto recently introduced a new Conch Cottages Collection at Latitude Margaritaville communities. The new collection was designed to offset rising building costs, maintain affordability, and respond to buyer interest in a home option with less square footage, lower entry price, and low maintenance. Conch Cottages are priced from the $300s and range from 1,210 to 1,481 square feet under air. Four floor plans — the Bamboo,

Camellia, Dreamsicle, and Aloha include two bedrooms, two baths, and an attached two-car garage. The Dreamsicle and Aloha also have a den/hobby room.

“Buyers love the Conch Cottages,” notes Pisano. “This collection provides a budget-friendly home that doesn’t feel like you are skimping on size or luxury, as well as low-maintenance living. The range in square footage and price points at Latitude Margaritaville compared to the overall market allows homeowners to enjoy the Margaritaville lifestyle within a budget that works for them. It also accommodates buyers looking for a second home in a resort-style community with world-class amenities and dining,” he adds.

Minto is developing another new offering for Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, that is located along the Intracoastal Waterway near Panama City Beach, FL. Twenty-nine prime lots are located directly on the Intracoastal. The new Vista Collection consists of two-story single-family homes with elevators that are designed to maximize the spectacular views of the Intracoastal. Home styles are in keeping with the island-style home designs throughout the community. The collection is scheduled to open for sales in 2024 with pricing to be announced.

Westlake

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound

Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach

Perhaps just as beautiful as Mississippi’s vibrant landscape and charming Southern towns is our incredibly low cost of living and zero income tax on retirement income for those aged 65 and over, allowing you more flexibility to do all the things you love. After all, you’ve earned it.

Fairfield Glade | Fairfield Glade, TN

750

IS THE NEW 500

(Or it may be that $800 is the new $500 by the time you read this article.)

By Kelly Godbey

Everyone knows that housing costs have increased dramatically since the pandemic and have continued to climb. And, yes, if you own your home, your home value has most likely appreciated significantly as well. A house that previously cost $500,000 now ranges from $750,000 to $800,000, depending on where you are looking. The prices are expected to remain strong and steady, if not inching up more in desirable locations. So, in this article, we’ve talked with developers and experts around the country to give you an idea of what you can expect as you are search for your ideal home.

A Bird’s Eye View of Real Estate in the United States

According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, a measure of home prices, home values rose 1.2% in May 2023 and are less than .5% off its June 2022 peak. The index is up 20.6% year-overyear. The median home sale price in 2023 is $415,400. We saw a short-lived decrease in national averages for a short time since the peak, but these numbers have been increasing since March 2023. And, according to Redfin, over 8% of homes are valued at over $1 million. There are several reasons for the rising home values. One reason is the low supply of homes on the market. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that the number of homes for sale is down 16.6% year-overyear, thus prolonging the seller’s market.

Another reason for the rising home values is the strong demand for housing. While Boomers are looking for retirement homes, Millennials are entering their

prime buying years. According to the 2023 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report from the NAR, Baby Boomers accounted for 39% of homebuyers in 2022 (up 10% from 2021). Generation X accounts for 24% of homebuyers, and Millennials comprise 24% of buyers.

As we all know, the FED has continued to raise interest rates. As of the writing of this article, the average 30-year mortgage fixed rate was 7.62%, and the 15year was 7.39%. Many Boomers have immense stores of equity and are choosing to pay cash for new homes. Another article about mortgages is on p.54, be sure to check that out as well. Cash purchases keep the home values ticking upward as more than one offer is generally presented for each home on the market. But, even with higher mortgage rates, many buyers are still willing to pay higher prices for homes. We’ll just have to wait and see when the FED decides it’s time to lower interest rates.

K. Hovnanian®’s Four Seasons at Orlando, FL

Will Prices Decrease in the Foreseeable Future?

The short answer is probably not. With higher interest rates, many people choose to stay in place and keep their lower mortgage payments rather than sell. This leads to a lack of inventory. As stated above, the number of homes for sale is down. While housing starts rose by 6.7% in July, according to the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), they forecast that housing starts will lag behind 2022. The NAHB builder confidence fell from 56 in July to 50 in August, signaling the first retreat in seven consecutive months due to eroding housing affordability.

With the demand outpacing housing supply, Zillow predicts home prices will continue to rise, but at a slower pace. In June 2023, Zillow projected that home values will grow by 5% in 2023. Fannie Mae predicts a stable outlook with modest growth expectations. If more homes come on the market, pricing will stabilize

or decline. According to the Zillow Home Value and Sales Forecast: June 2023, Zillow senior economist Nicole Bachaud stated, “Those buyers who turn to the new construction market are seeing more available options to snatch up, leading to strong new home sales compared to a year ago. And, with most builders offering incentives like rate buydowns, new construction is an attractive offer for buyers seeking affordability. The new construction market will continue to play a vital role in unlocking buyers left with few other options as builders continue to churn out much-needed inventory into this market.”

Pricing in Master-Planned Communities (MPCs)

If you want to improve your quality of life, you should probably consider relocating to a master-planned community. In these developments, they have thought of everything to enhance your lifestyle.

K. Hovnanian®’s Four Seasons at Orlando, FL

Whether it’s providing walking trails, pickleball courts, swimming pools, spas, country clubs, social clubs, golf, or any other activity you can think of, these communities offer the best opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle while retaining your home’s value. According to RCLCO Real Estate Consulting, MPCs perform better in times of economic uncertainty than the broader new home market. Living in an MPC offers a lifestyle that you can just dive into. Although the home values are typically a bit higher in an MPC, the value comes from the lifestyle afforded to its residents.

Five of the 15 top-selling MPCs are located in Florida. The top-selling MPC in the country is The Villages in central Florida, followed by Lakewood Ranch, the top-selling multi-generational community. But, you don’t need to live in the top 15 to enjoy a fantastic lifestyle.

All Real Estate Is Local

That’s an old saying, but nothing could be further from the truth. So, we’ve talked with different developers and/or communities in multiple states to get an idea about what’s happening in their area. Please note that if a home is located in a desirable location,

the home prices may significantly exceed the averages mentioned below.

Life on the Eastern Shore

“Sales continue at an extremely strong pace at Bay Creek. We have not seen as many homes under construction as we have right now, and we are releasing Bayside Village phase two this fall,” says Wade Adler, director of marketing at Bay Creek, located on the Chesapeake Bay on the eastern shore of Virginia, many buyers purchase in cash and come from northern Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. This allows retirees to stay within a four- to six-hour drive from family and have the lifestyle they want. Adler says, “It’s all about the lifestyle. People want the two-mile private beach, the fishing, the golf, and the 350-acre nature preserve with a fulltime reserve ranger who plans programs for residents.” Condos and townhomes are from the $400s, and new single-family homes are from the $700s. However, according to Adler, “There are people who are price-sensitive, but to the astute buyer, they accept that prices have increased over the years.”

Bay Creek in Cape Charles, VA

North Carolina Hot Spots

Coastal North Carolina is ever-popular among our readers. The Outer Banks, New Bern, Wilmington, and Brunswick County attract those young and not so young to the white sand and blue waters. In fact, the housing market in Wilmington, NC, is very competitive; homes usually sell in around 12 days. The average home price in Wilmington is $477,500, up 11.1% year-overyear. In July 2023, 471 homes were sold in Brunswick County at an average price of $407,838, according to Zillow. In towns like Southport, the average home price exceeded $550,000. If you are buying a home on the Carolina coast, be prepared to act quickly as homes go fast and prices continue to rise.

If you are looking in the Triangle, that’s the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area, you need to act quickly there as well. Homes typically stay on the market for about 20 days. There is a strong demand for homes in this area as industry is booming and attracting high net-worth individuals. The economy is robust, and there is a variety of job opportunities, which means prices are expected to continue to rise. The average home price in Chapel Hill is $575,000; in Cary, it’s $540,000.

Lake Living in Keowee Key

If you would love to wake up with a view of the mist topping a pristine lake, you are not alone. There aren’t a lot of homes for sale in this gated, lakefront community on Lake Keowee in Salem, SC, but they welcome guests to visit and try out their amenities with a discovery package and see why so many have chosen this place as their home. In June and July, the average single-family home sale was about $850,000; the condos and townhomes are in the low $300s. So, there is something for everyone. Inventory levels are easing up from the frenzy experienced in 2022, but they are still at historic lows.

The Top Multi-Generational MasterPlanned Community in the U.S.

Lakewood Ranch (LWR), near Sarasota, has been among the top-selling MPCs for many years. For close to 30 years, the developers of Lakewood Ranch have created an unrivaled community for all ages. If lifestyle is something you seek, you need look no further. According to Leslie Rothschild of Bright Realty in Sarasota, “People come from all over the country. They want to live in Lakewood Ranch, not in surrounding areas, but in the community. A lot of buyers are paying cash. Prices might be coming down in other areas, but the prices have continued to increase

in the desirable areas. Some people might think that prices will come down. Well, maybe they will, or maybe not. You can’t say for sure, but they’re not coming down now. I advise people, if they aren’t willing to pay the higher prices, don’t sell your home now because you still need somewhere to live.”

Mountain Living

Things are booming in the West as well. The housing market in Colorado is also very competitive. There were 19,299 homes sold for an average home price of $540,838 in the state in July alone, but that’s down from 22,268 homes sold last year at this time. The inventory of homes for sale in Colorado has decreased by 16.6% year-over-year. In the small town of Montrose, near the Rocky Mountains, the demand for housing is high due to the city’s natural beauty, mild climate, and proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities. The Homes at Cobble Creek in Montrose is currently developing a new property to meet the needs of homebuyers — The Patio Homes at Spruce Point. These patio homes start at $499,000 and have HOA fees of only $150, which include lawn maintenance, irrigation, snow removal, and common area maintenance. It’s the perfect fit for a simplified, authentic Colorado lifestyle with three available exterior elevations.

Spruce Point | The Homes at Cobble Creek, Montrose, CO

West Coast Living

When thinking about moving to California, I know what you are thinking… it’s so expensive. And, in the larger cities, you are absolutely right. The average home price in California in August was $741,789. And, this is one of the states where the prices are coming down. But, we found a new, surprisingly affordable community that offers some of that great year-round weather we are all seeking. Between San Francisco and Sacramento in Rio Vista, you’ll find Luminescence at Liberty by deNova Homes. They have created a single-story, two-bedroom home community that makes living affordable and has great options. All of the homes are customizable, so they all look different, and the prices start in the upper $300s. This 55+ community offers a community garden, pool, fitness center, gathering space, bocce ball courts, tennis, pickleball, walking trails, and even a dog park. It’s a quiet lifestyle in a small town. According to residents Patrick and Cherie Tindall, who relocated from Portland, OR, “What most people don’t realize about buying a new home is that the professional standards and ethics of the builder go a long way to providing satisfaction and peace of mind. For us, the price of our new home, while comparatively modest for the Bay Area, was a large investment. We don’t believe there is a better value to be had when buying a new home in a community with so much going for it!”

The Hidden Gem

People always ask, “Where’s the best value for my money?” This translates to: “Where can I purchase to get the most appreciation?” One of our top picks for this category is the state of Mississippi. It has the lowest cost of living in the country, approximately 17% lower than the national average. And, right behind that is Arkansas, with a cost of living 14% below the national average.

Mississippi is tax-friendly to retirees and offers excellent value in real estate purchases. Mississippi does not tax social security benefits, 401K, IRA, or pension income. In Natchez, the average home sale price in August 2023 was $219,500; New Albany was $269,000; Aberdeen was $144,900; Oxford was $460,000; and Madison was $371,000. You can get a lot of bang for your buck in Mississippi. And, if you want a mansion on acres of land, that’s available too (although that could cost a million plus).

Jackie and Larry Smith had lived in many places throughout the country and the world and said after finding their Victorian home in Natchez, “This is the best place we’ve ever lived. Your real estate dollar goes a lot farther here. When you wake up in the morning and walk down the street, it’s refreshing to know and talk with your neighbors.”

As I always point out in my in-person talks at our Ideal-LIVING Real Estate Shows or our webinar series, I believe that lifestyle is the main reason you should consider a move. Life is too short to wait for someday when the prices or the mortgage rates fall. If you can lower your taxes with a move, even if it is a lateral move, you are saving money and starting your new life. I believe every person deserves to live their ideal life and should begin immediately or as soon as possible.

Jackie and Larry Smith’s Home in Natchez, MS Natchez, MS

The Value of Golf

DOES A HOME ON A GOLF COURSE HAVE MORE VALUE?

You are an active couple who have gained a love of golf and nurtured lifelong friendships on the course at your home up north. Should you choose a golf community and spring for membership in the club? Or find a historic older home in a vintage neighborhood and play daily fee golf?

The equally compelling question is, ‘What if you’re not golfers at all?’ Could a golf community still be a sensible choice? Lots to mull over.

Perhaps the first consideration is your budget. According to Mark Lawrence, a tenured real estate professional in Lakewood Ranch near Sarasota, you will naturally pay a premium for proximity to a golf course. “This is broad-brush, but let’s say the cost of a comfortable home with golf course frontage is $550,000. Move back a few streets from the course, and you’re at $450,000. Leave the community for a standard neighborhood, and the cost drops to $350,000,” advises Mark.

But why is the golf course-fronting home the most expensive? There is a compelling concept advanced by 18th century landscape designer Humphry Repton called visual appropriation, whereby a homeowner integrates – or appropriates – the aesthetics of a beautiful view into the actual value of the resident’s private property.

Along with the view, a golf community routinely offers countless amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis and pickleball, hiking trails, a zillion

by Warren Grant

social clubs, restaurants, and gated access. But all those extras affect your budget in the form of initiation fees, monthly club dues, and HOA fees.

An excellent place to cost-compare the fees can be found in Dataw Island and Coosaw Point, two stunning Carolina Lowcountry communities near the resort towns of Beaufort and Hilton Head Island, with quick access to Charleston.

Dataw Island is an 1800-acre golf community with courses by acclaimed designers Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills and includes many amenities. Just 20 minutes away, Coosaw Point is a tidy 400-acre community with beautiful parks, pristine wetlands, a tidy clubhouse, swim, and tennis, but no golf. Both offer deep-water docks and quick access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Todd McDaniel, who manages sales offices at both communities through Bay Street Realty Group, offers the specifics on initial expenses for the two. Says McDaniel, “Naturally, there is an inherent difference in the cost of operating these two beautiful communities. Coosaw Point has a modest, one-time initiation buy-in of $3,500, plus a $ 2,750-a-year HOA fee. While Dataw’s initiation is $37,500 with an annual HOA fee of $7,850.”

Which one is right for you? Or you could nibble at the best of both worlds, especially if you are an infrequent golfer or looking to take up the sport that saved our collective sanity during the pandemic.

Many golf communities offer not only an all-encom-

passing full golf membership, but also a social membership that grants you access to the swimming pool, tennis, restaurants, fitness, and perhaps most importantly, engagement with your neighbors in clubhouse activities, fostering a sense of belonging.

With any luck, the social membership allows you limited access to the golf course on a pay-for-play basis. You can probably even pay for lessons from the golf staff, so you can gradually find out if the sport is right for you.

According to Keith Beatty, who runs a team of real estate agents in the tri-county area surrounding Wilmington, North Carolina, for Intracoastal Realty, “You have to join the club at some fee structure to take advantage of the community amenities.”

Beatty advises, though, that some golf communities have a middle tier called a sports membership, which is required for access to all the active amenities other than golf. But, the abundance of beach activities, kayaking, and paddle boarding around Cape Fear pro-

vides plenty of free recreation!

Back down at Lakewood Ranch, Mark Lawrence offers the option of simply playing daily fee courses. “There are some 35 public courses between Lakewood Ranch and nearby Venice. They are great layouts, and I’ve probably played 20 of them. Tee times are a little tougher to get in winter, but summer times are plentiful and affordable.”

So, lots to mull over. Make sure you research the reputation of a community’s developer and their solvency. Also, consider the reputational strength of the golf course architect, which can enhance the appreciation of property values. Gated golf communities also enjoy very low levels of criminal activities. And, a 55+ golf community won’t have little Timmy next door dribbling his basketball at 10 pm.

However, all of those considerations are surpassed when you can play a three-hole loop with your granddaughter at sunset before being called in for dinner. That view is priceless.

Falling Fast for Keowee Key

“We’re moving down here for a new kind of journey. It’s exciting!” Dan Gitre beamed as he and his wife Carol are relocating to Keowee Key from Michigan. After spending 39 years together in southeast Michigan, they are ready to leave the cold winters for the four-season climate on Lake Keowee in South Carolina, where they hope to wear sweaters for just a couple of months of the year.

Although the Gitres had purchased a lakefront homesite in Tennessee 13 years before with dreams of building a home, they knew it wasn’t the right place for them. So in 2019, when watching the Clemson vs. Alabama national title football game, Dan googled Clemson. Then he located it on Google Earth. He said, “It’s no wonder that all these kids want to go to school there.” And then he saw all the blue water and how clean it looked. Another quick search told him that Lake Keowee was one of the cleanest lakes in the country. And another search led him to Keowee Key, where he found they had pickleball, tennis, marinas, dog walks, walking trails, and golf. The photos looked amazing, so he and Carol decided to take a discovery tour in June 2019.

“We got a general feel for the area and went, ‘Wow,

by Kelly Godbey

this is awesome.’ The pricing of the houses is so affordable. I told my wife, ‘Carol, when we’re ready, I want to spend a month down there.’ So that’s nine months ago, we came down for a month, and it just blew me away. The fall leaves here are just spectacular. It’s got the trees and the lushness of Michigan broadleaf.”

“Somehow, I found this by looking at a football game. And, just as I met my wife in 1984, I fell in love quickly with Keowee Key. It just all made sense to me.”

While prolonging their purchase increased the price of real estate by possibly 50%, they still feel like they got a value. Dan says, “To me, it’s like buying Apple stock. You could have said it was peaking 10 years ago, but guess what? It still continues to appreciate. The best will continue to appreciate. And, I think Keowee Key is one of those communities that will never lose value.”

“I figure we’ve got 25 good years left. But I’m not taking any one of them for granted. We’ve all seen friends and others have dealt with medical issues, and I say let’s play pickleball while we still can. As I am sitting here, I’m watching golfers come by right now, and a deer is walking across my yard. It’s just unbelievable.”

YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN US AT A SHOW NEAR YOU!

REAL ESTATE SHOW

JANUARY 13-14, 2024

Hilton Parsippany Parsippany, NJ

JANUARY 20-21, 2024

Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Schaumburg, IL

FEBRUARY 17-18, 2024

Hyatt Regency Greenwich Old Greenwich, CT

FEBRUARY 3-4, 2024

Hilton Long Is / Huntington Melville, NY

FEBRUARY 24-25, 2024

The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner McLean, VA

The most trusted source for finding your ideal destination, life, and home for over 30 years.

COLUMBUS, TX

RANCH LIVING without

the heavy lifting.

BIG EASY RANCH in the Foothills of Texas, is an exclusive golf and sporting club set on 2,000 rolling acres only about an hour outside of Houston and Austin. Here, you can enjoy world-class amenities for the discerning golf, sporting and hunting enthusiast. Big Easy Ranch is the epitome of luxury ranch living. And now, our prime location & premier ranch amenities are joined by a limited number of PRIVATE & SHARED REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES:

PRIVATE ESTATE HOMESITES from $825K.

SHARED OWNERSHIP VILLAS (1/8 Ownership Share, 42 Nights a Year) from $450K.

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME & EFFORTLESS RANCH LIVING AWAIT!

See more at BIGEASYRANCH.COM

Shared Ownership Villa