About Richmond Hill's The Ford Plantation

This is an excerpt quoted from the March 9, 2010 edition of a Barron's article by Steven M. Sears: "At long last, the market for luxury real estate is coming back to life.

In Greenwich, Conn., realty brokers say, the final months of 2009 were almost record-setters for sales volume, as two years of pent-up demand was unleashed. Even the megadeal is back. In Beverly Hills, film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg just plunked down $35 million for an 8,700-square-foot home on six acres.

There's nothing like a stabilized economy and a huge rebound in stocks to send folks looking for the perfect manse. The return of hefty Wall Street bonuses hasn't hurt, either.

Prices are way down-40% off the peak in some locations. Seemingly at or near bottom, they are starting to attract the first wave of bargain hunters-and not just families in need of R&R. Hard-nosed investors also are on the prowl, says Jan Reuter, head of residential real estate at U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management: "We've seen an uptick in buying in just the last couple of months... ".

The Ford Plantation is no exception and we are experiencing an increase in the number of people visiting the plantation and wanting to share this incredible coastal lifestyle, which is limited to only 400 families. There have already been several closings in January and February and all indications are that we are going to experience strong spring sales. Many of our peers have already reported record breaking January and February closings!

The time is right. Prices are low, jumbo loans are available again and interest rates are at record low levels ... how much longer will this be true? Don't miss this opportunity, visit our website now or call for an opportunity to visit and stay at The Main House!

Realtors, broker referrals and buyers agents are welcome!

122 Lost Cypress Way - Walk to the clubhouse, golf, pool or fitness center - unbeatable location and unbeatable value! Only $595,000

446 Ogeechee Drive - Waterfront on the Ogeechee River. Only $875,000

70 Little Lulu Lane - The Family Compound - Southern Style. $3,100,000

652 Silk Hope Drive - Marina living at its best. $2,795,000

221 Hidden Cove Drive - Lowcountry Southern Plantation Estate. $2,799,000

680 Myrtle Grove Lane - Home on Lake Dye. $2,450,000

1165 Dublin Drive - Empty-nester's Equestrian Delight. $2,195,000

261 Spanish Moss Lane - Custom Louisiana Country Home. $1,975,000

400 Ford Way - Tom Sawyer Pond Estate. $1,850,000

543 McAllister Landing - The Charleston Battery. $1,625,000

469 Dublin Drive - Immaculate Restored Tobacco Barn Home. $1,295,000

601 Myrtle Grove Lane - The Lake Dye Carriage House. $1,250,000

49 Eagles Cove - Perfect! Second Home / Weekend Getaway. $850,000

46 Cherry Laurel Way - Delightful Cherry Hill Cottage. $695,000

Visit our website for more information www.OgeecheeGroup.com

Set amidst the centuries old Live Oaks, in the Silk Hope neighborhood of The Ford Plantation is a wonderful organic garden...but it is more than that.

Executive Chef, Juan Carlos points out it is about an attitude, a commitment and a lifestyle that is inherent in the DNA of The Ford Plantation, its staff and its members. Juan explains that the organic farm is just one (and happens to be the most visible) of many ways in which The Ford Plantation supports the environment, and healthy living. Chef Juan explains that they try not to use chemicals or highly processed foods so they grow their own organic vegetables when seasonable possible. They also raise a few dozen "Silver Lay" chickens which produce about enough eggs to make all the homemade pastas served in the dining venues, as well as make all the deserts with fresh organic eggs. And very importantly they only use soy based organic detergents to clean up in the kitchen. This is not only environmentally responsible but ensures that none of the dishes used to serve food have "chemical residues" thereby ensuring top quality and flavor.

I was then pleasantly surprised to learn that this attitude extends to the other departments. The golf and marina outfits are also trialing and fine tuning the use of soy based cleaning products to ensure minimal impact to the environment when they clean equipment.

Good job The Ford Plantation Club. With this attitude no wonder it is the premier private gated community on the East Coast!

Recently the Ford Plantation Equestrian center was a hive of a different sort of activity. The arena was completely revamped in an exercise which included the removal of the entire arena surface and sub surface. More modern footing mediums where then used to rebuild the arena to modern world classs equestrian arena standards, simultaneously drainage and irrigation were upgraded.

The arena is now ready for the winter season and no doubts the riders and horses will be delighted with the upgrade and we look forward to seeing the dressage, jumping, trail riding and training at the new arena at The Ford Plantation Barn this season.

On Tuesday, October 27th a group of about 30 members of The Ford Plantation had a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of Championship Golf Course Management and Maintenance Program.

Nelson Caron (Golf Course Superintendant) gave a very professional tour of the golf course and specifically talked about the challenges of irrigation and drainage of a low country golf course, greens keeping (and maintaining putting surface consistency from green to green), daily course maintenance decision making, various breeds of grasses (and their pros and cons), specific challenges currently being addressed at the golf course (greens, drainage and irrigation).

Nelson also gave us some tips, which sound simple but I must admit I had it wrong on a few of these pointers. Like how to properly fill in a fairway divot so that the grass will grow back quickly but also so that the lawn care equipment, which is set to very tight cutting tolerances, is not damaged. How to repair green pitch marks, the right way and the wrong way.

It was also fun to visit the workshop and see the fleet of equipment it takes to run and maintain a top course like the Pete Dye Course at The Ford Plantation. How much maintenance takes place and the tolerances that the equipment is set to run to was truly impressive and surprising, these are not your back yard lawnmowers, and they are run more like a fleet of aircraft!

I have been playing golf for over 25 years and this was the first time I got to go behind the scenes. It was truly informative and I encourage more events like this to take place and more attendance, there really is a lot to learn.

Great job Nelson and crew!

The brand new fourth quarter real estate report has just been released. You can download a free copy at this link.

The report contains everything you will ever need to know about The Ford Plantation: Sales, Promotions, Events and Current Listings.

Enjoy!

Real Estate Report