December’s Season of Celebrations & Sharing-

Holiday Marketplace Festivities This Saturday at Founders Pointe

Crafters Marketplace

Visit the Founders Pointe Residents’ Club from 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd and find the perfect unique holiday gift, or something special to treat yourself! A wide variety of local crafters, artisans and vendors will be on hand to showcase the best of their collections. Choose from Willow House, Avon, Stella & Dot, Party Lite, Pampered Chef, as well as hand-made jewelry, exquisite photography, holiday decorations and more. Come out and support the Isle of Wight food Pantry- a worthy cause.

Refreshments, including homemade soups, hot chocolate, sodas, chips, popcorn and more, will be available for sale with all proceeds the Isle of Wight Food Pantry. A Select-A-Prize Auction with prizes donated by each of the Marketplace participants will also benefit this worthwhile cause.

In addition to the Marketplace festivities, five models homes available for sale, will also be open to tour.

Founders Pointe is located in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, near the historic town of Smithfield. The centerpiece of Founders Pointe are the exceptional resort-style recreational amenities the community has to offer.

• Residents’ Club with swimming pool and 112′ water slide
• 844′ observation pier offering panoramic views of Batten Bay and the James River
• 3 miles of biking/leisure trails and sidewalks
• playground and sand volleyball court
• Full-time activities director coordinating year-round events for all ages.

To discover what's happening at Founders Pointe, visit the Founders Pointe Resident’s Club website.

In addition to hosting sporting and fitness activities, the clubhouse serves as a center for holiday celebrations, themed social events for adults, and special interest clubs. A full-time activities director keeps the community’s social calendar full with a year-round schedule of exciting events. The clubhouse’s swimming pool and waterslide is augmented by a children’s playground and sand volleyball court. Both children and adults make use of the network of nearly three miles of sidewalks and walking trails that wind throughout the community. An observation pier overlooks Batten Bay, with views reaching to the James River and the Hampton Roads. Founders Pointe provides a nurturing environment in which children can thrive and adults can relax. Whether you are young, or simply young at heart, going outside to play is conveniently rewarding.

1230 Founders Pointe Trail, Carrollton, Virginia

Easy Access To All Of Life’s Conveniences

Economic development in the Carrollton area of Isle of Wight County has been on a fast pace since the Founders Pointe community began. Shops, restaurants, medical facilities and a myriad of other services now populate the surrounding area, meeting just about every want or need within a 10-minute drive.

Founders Pointe- Live Close to What Matters Most

A short drive down Sugar Hill Road may seem like any other in Isle of Wight County. But one mile in sits a community of custom homes nestled into quiet lanes and private cul-de-sacs tucked among an inviting marsh, creek and wooded landscape.

And that's just the beginning of life at East West Communities' Founders Pointe, the site of Tidewater Builders Association's first Spring Homearama this past May where eight furnished and landscaped showcase custom homes were on display. Distinctive architectural home styles and a great attention to streetscape are just a couple of the reasons why Founders Pointe has been selected "Community of the Year" twice.

True to form, the development company that is known for building environmentally sensitive communities and resorts in two states is doing just that in Isle of Wight County.

With quality custom homes from the mid-$400's to about $1 million, Founders Pointe overlooks the Batten Bay and boasts breathtaking views that invite outdoor activities. It also offers residents resort-style amenities of a community clubhouse, swimming pool, playground, miles of leisure trails and a full social calendar. Plans are for 319 homes in Founders Pointe, and 150 families have already chosen to live there.

Residents from all across the spectrum - It has really appealed to everyone who's looking to be nicely removed from the city. The community lends itself to programs and attractions and has facilities that are attractive to all of the different ages.

Location, location, location

Founders Pointe is centrally located between the Peninsula and Norfolk near historic Smithfield in Isle of Wight County. Nestled in a pastoral countryside, the neighborhood offers a quiet retreat from everyday living with the conveniences of neighboring cities.

It's not just a great place to live and play, but the area is a great place to work. There are numerous employers within 15 minutes of Founders Pointe. For many people in the Hampton Roads market, it's an excellent location given their employment circumstances. Despite an economic downturn, Founders Pointe has managed to consistently sell homes, with over 22 homes ales so far in 2010. Low taxes, low interest rates, low traffic congestion, and excellent schools have all helped accelerate the sales pace this year.

The Amenities

Residents enjoy breathtaking views from the nature trails or the 844-foot observation pier with two decks. There will also be over three miles of trails and sidewalks upon completion.

Founders Pointe also boasts a $2 million Residents' Club that features a coastal cottage-style clubhouse and a 4,000-square-foot resort-style pool with a 112-foot waterslide. In addition to providing spaces for social gatherings, family activities and meetings, the clubhouse can be used for teen events, yoga classes, birthday parties and more.

The clubhouse and the pool, again for a community of 300 homes, is extraordinary and people love it. It's a great feature of the community. Adjacent to the clubhouse sits a sand volleyball court, picnic area with an outdoor grill, playground and walking and jogging trails.

For more information on Founders Pointe, contact East West Partners Senior Vice President/Broker Mark Edwards at medwardseast@westr.com or visit www.founderspointe.com.

Waterfront Communities Continue to Attract Homebuyers

Virginia landowners have realized the benefits of living close to the water for centuries, and the state's finest homes have always been located on rivers. Although the reasons for wanting to be near the water have changed over the years, it has never been so popular and in such demand in Hampton Roads as it is now, and recent new home communities such as The Riverfront at Harbour View, Founders Pointe, and Gatling Pointe near Smithfield. Homebuyers appreciate communities that maximize its waterfront property, not just for the property owners who live along the water, but for the entire community. For instance, The Riverfront offers four waterfront parks that feature gazebos, piers, a pool, and an amphitheater, while leisure trails will lead Founders Pointe residents from their Resident's Club to an 844' observation pier which extends to Batten Bay. Gatling Pointe offers a marina, yacht club, clubhouse, and restaurant.

There are many advantages that come with owning waterfront property and one is the beautiful views and natural scenic vistas. Owning waterfront property also offers privacy and perceived value for today's buyers. Many waterfront parcels have protected wetlands and restrictions will always protect the marsh and tributaries that border the land. The increased popularity of various water sports and boating has also driven the need to have water access for boats, jet skis, and the fun that comes with recreation on the water. Sales have increased in the Founders Pointe waterfront community this year with 20 custom home sales so far in 2010. Over 150 families now live in this one of a kind waterfront community. The Riverfront also has had a number of new homebuyers building their dream home this year on the banks of the Nansemond River with dramatic views up the James River. Over 900 families now live in The Riverfront which first opened in 2000.

Life along the water can add to a sense of well-being, a relaxed lifestyle, opportunities for memorable experiences. Exploring the waterways lends itself to old fashioned family activities like nature walks, picnics, fishing, boating, and sailing. The waterfront communities that offer their homeowners a place to discover fun activities are also the ones selling the most homes. Haven't you always wanted to live along the water?

For more information about waterfront communities in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, visit www.the-riverfront.com, www.founderspointe.com, or www.gatlingpointe.com .

A Virginian Pilot newspaper correspondent/reporter, Nora Firestone, recently asked me to answer a few questions about the Housing Market in Hampton Roads...

QUESTION #1:"To what to you attribute the speed of Homearama homes' sales at Founder's Pointe, especially in light of the current economy and housing market?"

ANSWER: It's really not been just one thing that's attributed to our sales success this year. (20 custom home sales since the Spring Homearama event was held) Yes, it's been a tough real estate market, and the consumers are being very cautious, they expect more value and they're pickier right now, and they should be...when people actually take their time and compare and investigate their options, it's always turned out better for us.

1. The LOCATION- We're a little off the beaten path, (just ten minutes off of I-664), but it's why our location is so appealing at the same time. Founders Pointe is located on the water and it is surrounded by creeks, protected woodlands, and tributaries that flow into Batten Bay and the James River. The street where the Homearama is located looks across the bay of Hampton Roads and you can see the Monitor-Merrimac in the distance from our Observation Pier (which is 844' long, by the way) Being "nicely removed from the city" is appealing to a lot of people and the location is surprisingly convenient- only 10 minutes to the Peninsula and 25 min to Downtown Norfolk. A lot of people were exposed to Founders Pointe and this northeastern part of Isle of Wight County for the first time during the May Homearama event. They were somewhat familiar with Smithfield, but not with our location which is less than a mile off Route 17. We're in a growth area, and there's a lot of benefits to living away from the congestion.

2. The resort styled AMENITIES- Founders Pointe also offers an incredible amenity complex- the Residents' Club and pool with a 112' waterslide, volleyball, playground, & three miles of leisure trails. The resort feel of the clubhouse setting on the lake, and the dramatic views from the Observation Pier makes many residents feel like they're on vacation year round. Many social activities and opportunities for recreation within the community is something that today's homebuyers find important. They not only want a quality home at a great value, but they want a quality community with a lot of opportunities to enjoy fun times with their family, neighbors, and friends...sometmes referred to as a great sense of community.

3. The OVERALL COMMUNITY CONCEPT- We're about halfway developed right now, over 150 homes sold. There will be only 319 total custom homes and they get all of this for $80/month. It's rare to find a community of this size with a $2 million Residents' Club/pool with a full-time Activities Director. The trails link the different neighborhood sections with the club/pool, and takes residents down to the waterfront and the Observation Pier. Walking is the number one recreational activity in our communities, and they love the different trails throughout the neighborhood. The neighborhood has a beautiful stone entry monument (helps create a sense of arrival), one way in & one way out, and there's a series of different cul-de-sac streets that come off of Founders Pointe Trail.

4. Distinctive architectural homes styles, 10 quality custom homebuilders, most of whom we've been working with in this market for over 20 years.

5. Timing- I know it sounds cliché, but it IS a great time to invest in a new home. (See my answers below)

QUESTION #2: "What, if anything, does this imply to you regarding buyers, sellers and/or builders in the current real estate market?"

ANSWER: There's a pent up demand out there, as a lot of people have wanted to do something the last several years, and now they feel like the time is right. The prices are attractive, the interest rates at all time lows, and the homes have a lot more to offer, plus they're more energy efficient and will save them money on their utility bills over their current resale home. The builders are offering more amenities and extras in their homes than in recent years, and the informed buyers are taking advantage of the opportunity.

QUESTION #3. "In your personal and professional opinion, what are the keys to speed of sales of newly constructed homes (in Founders Pointe) this year?" (Note the 20 homes sold so far in 2010 range in price from $450,000 to $881,900).

ANSWER: The obvious one is the low interest rates, but I think the consumer also is seeing more quality appointments included by the builder, and more attention to details in the home. The interest rates are the lowest ever, and it makes sense to buy a brand new home now. The homes offer more energy saving features, higher SEER ratings in the HVAC equipment, Energy Star appliances, better insulation values are now required by building codes...windows are more efficient, etc. It all adds up to lower utility bills on a new home. I also believe the prices have been adjusted. The last three to four years, a lot of folks waited to move, but didn't (or couldn't) now, we're seeing well informed buyers come in and they know that it's the time to buy now. There's just a lot of talk in the news about how bad the housing market is, at the same time the rates are at their lowest, with new home supply down, etc...

I still say our biggest edge and/or reason for experiencing some success is the uniqueness of our community/setting, and how folks that end up here, they've really done their homework, they've shopped around long and hard, and we end up doing okay because they're comfortable with the environment here (the overall community, the quality of home, the quality living around this Smithfield/Isle of Wight County area) They're demanding more because they can. Our builders are also making sure they are responsive to the homebuyer's needs and they're doing all of the little things. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the Isle of Wight County tax rate is lowest in Hampton Roads area, too (.52/$100).

You hear alot of negative news in the media- about how the economy hasn't recovered yet. Historically, the economy doesn't come out of a recession until the housing industry does. National new home consultant Tom Richey reports that over 256 different goods and services go into the building/construction of one new home...and how it does affect the whole economy....we're trying to do our part here in Isle of Wight County and Suffolk, Virginia.

For more information about Founders Pointe, visit www.founderspointe.com. To find out more about East West Communities, visit www.eastwestcommunities.com.