7 Reasons to Buy a New Home in a Master Planned Community

Why have planned communities become so popular in today's economy? Yes, people are building and buying new homes again in Virginia, and we're excited about what's going on in our four East West Communities in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Maybe the sales pace isn't what it was a few years ago, but that's okay. Builders have definitely stepped up and are taking great care of the customer, AND we're seeing outstanding new home values as a result. One of the drawbacks of the building boom a few years ago was the fact that builders couldn't meet their closing deadlines and sometimes customer service fell behind the wayside. Our buyers are finding out that it is a great time to build after comparing their options with the other possibilities in the marketplace. There's a definite resurgence of interest in building a new home in our market, so I've listed 7 reasons why people are buying new homes in our communities today.

1. Sense of place, Belonging. There are many reasons why today's homebuyers are seeking planned communities as a place to call home. Many of today's homebuyers in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia are searching for a sense of belonging....a place they can enjoy recreation and have a lot of fun things to do without leaving their neighborhood. Many people seem to long for a safe place to live, a place to raise a family, to maintain a home they can be proud of, and live the American dream. A planned community offers many lifestyle opportunities and home style options.

2. Value.  Homebuyers looking for more value tend to be more cautious in their home purchase than they were maybe a few years ago. If you're investing your hard earned money, you want to make sure you're in an area that offers a high quality of life and offers a good resale opportunity. There's definitely a market looking for a neighborhood with lifestyle amenities- a place where they can get to know their neighbors, entertain friends and family, and have memorable experiences.

Homebuyers have been paying more attention in recent months in finding not only the "right price", but what's equally important is finding the "right home" and the right neighborhood. Buying a new home is a way to make sure you achieve your dream home and it's never been a better time to purchase a new home. Pricing of materials and labor are very attractive today than a few years ago and we're seeing it reflected in many pre-sold homes. People also want to take advantage of the lower interest rates.

Over 2,100 families have relocated to three planned communities developed by East West Communities in the last ten years - Eagle Harbor, The Riverfront at Harbour View, and Founders Pointe since 2000. (Founders Pointe is the newest of the three and opened in 2005). Another 500 homes were developed in the Gatling Pointe community before 2001 in Smithfield, Va. The grand opening for Liberty Ridge in Williamsburg is this May. (See the East West story at the bottom of this article.) 

3. Feeling of Security.Planned communities help give homebuyers a feeling of security. When asked what people look for in a new home, many say a sense of community. Planned communities help provide the lifestyle that makes a house a home. The statement entry helps give a sense of arrival, a creative land plan allows for pocket parks, recreational areas, and private cul-de-sac neighborhoods and slower traffic. A more attractive streetscape is accomplished through unique and distinctive architectural guidelines, enhanced landscaping requirements and a quality team of homebuilders. The protective covenants also protect value and helps control the overall look and feel of a planned community.

4. Reputable Homebuilders. Some of the area's most reputable builders have also committed to building Featured Models in our communities because they know they attract quality homebuyers and it's a place they enjoy building new homes. The group of preferred builders also helps to accomplish the overall architectural theme goal and helps establish a great looking streetscape, thus a more attractive neighborhood. Residents also like dealing with homebuilders that are dedicated to their neighborhood.

5. Creative new home designs. We often see builders create a brand new home design that's on the cutting edge of national trends, showcasing the finest building products and materials. Our new home communities attract alot of visitors and the builders see it as an opportunity to go above and beyond in their selection of the home plan, the overall exterior curb appeal, and interior appointments. Every time we open a new section, our builders have stepped up with totally new plans which helps keep the neighborhood interesting and different.

The Tidewater builders Association held its annual Homearama model home show in Founders Pointe last year and it returns to The Riverfront this fall. Tens of thousands of people attend to see the superior quality homes over a sixteen day period. The best in new home designs and finishes are showcased on the same street, and it's always a win win situation for the builder/development and the customer.

6. Resort style Amenities. Residents in our East West Partners communities often say that living in our neighborhood is like being on vacation year round. Neighborhoods with active community clubs is attractive to many relocating from outside of the area. The resort styled amenities in The Riverfront, Founders Pointe, Eagle Harbor, and Gatling Pointe rival those at some of the greatest resorts. First class facilities such as the Founders Pointe Residents Club and The Riverfront Swim Club may add value to their homes and offers many positive experiences for their families....a chance to rediscover the simpler things in life, like going for a walk to one of the neighborhood parks. Residents enjoy the monthly planned activities - whether it's signing the kids up to one of the summer camps, participating on the neighborhood swim team, or on one of the many fun events scheduled by the Activities Coordinator.

Relocating families also tend to feel it's easier to get to know your neighbors in a planned community that offers a centralized amenity location. A lively club operation helps provide social interaction and opportunities to make new friends. It helps make the adjustment to a new area easier and it's a reason families from out of the area feel more welcome. There's something special about being able to take your grandchild to the river to check out one of the canoes to explore nature in your backyard..... Many buyers yearn for the opportunity to experience these memorable moments with their families. 

7. Developer's Credibility.Today's consumers should investigate their options fully when finding the right neighborhood. Look at the track record and the whole body of work for that developer and/or builder. East West has always done better when the homebuyer compares the total community to other options in the marketplace. Communities like The Riverfront, Founders Pointe, and Eagle Harbor are located in growth areas and are places that people are moving to, and not away from.  The northern Suffolk/Isle of Wight County corridor is located on the western edge of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is central to both the Peninsula and southside Hampton Roads.

After 35 years of developing planned communities, East West has listened to the homeowners' needs, wants, and desires- though numerous focus groups, surveys, and market research. Every time we open a new community we strive to provide the homebuyers with more things that they want. (For example, at Founders Pointe, one of our new home communities in the Hampton Roads area, there are more walking trails, a waterfront observation pier, a larger clubhouse, more pool shade structures and a water slide for the kids.  In Liberty Ridge in Williamsburg, there will be miles of natural leisure trails winding through the neighborhood of three acre homesites.)

Our Story

East West Communities has been developing planned communities since 1972, in six different states. East West's initial community in Chesterfield County, Brandermill, was awarded the "Best Planned Community" in 1978 by the National Housing & Builders Association and Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Our Woodlake community in Midlothian was also awarded "Best Community in the U.S. " by the Urban Land Institute in 1990.

Since then, East West Communities have expanded into the Hampton Roads market with four planned communities. Gatling Pointe features a yacht club, marina, and riverfront clubhouse & pool complex. Eagle Harbor features a lakefront park, clubhouse, and spectacular pool with a water park and a GardenGolf course. The Riverfront features a Swim Club, golf course, two riverfront parks, a lakefront amphitheater and a second pool which overlooks Eagle Lake. Founders Pointe, a waterfront community near Smithfield, features a Residents' Club- a $2 million dollar club and pool complex which has a 112' water slide and a 4,000 square foot pool.

Over 1,000 familes have purchassed new homes in The Riverfront at Harbour View since its grand opening in 2000. Eagle Harbor has also attracted over 1,000 families since 2002. Founders Pointe, which is about 50% developed, has sold 150 custom homes (since 2005) of a possible 319 total homes (when it is fully developed).

The Riverfront at Harbour View has also been awarded "Community of the Year" twice by the Tidewater Builders Association. Gatling Pointe, Eagle Harbor, and Founders Pointe have also received the "Community of the Year" award by the Peninsula Housing and Builders Association. Liberty Ridge, a brand new custom home community in Williamsburg, opens this spring as the first two models are nearing completion. Liberty Ridge offers three acre lots and is located just ten minutes to Colonial Williamsburg.