Compare the neighborhoods you like, keeping in mind the advantages of living in a planned community. There are many more questions to ask, since location is a matter of personal preference, but the following basics will get you started as you begin your home search…

Architectural integrity. A planned community establishes master architectural guidelines for homes and community amenities, which ensures that neighborhoods are well designed and complement each other for the long term. These guidelines create a unified theme, but with variations so that each neighborhood is unique. Long-term community specifications maintain the integrity of an attractive street scene, as well as landscaping and facilities.

Amenities that enhance quality of life. Master-planned communities are about convenience – from homes that don’t require extensive maintenance to amenities that make is easy to enjoy long weekends and quality family time. Specific amenities might include pools, tennis courts, hike-and-bike trails, recreation centers, gyms, sports fields, golf courses, clubhouses and much more. Smart community planning also considers views and the preservation of natural open space, as well as convenience for residents. For example, a planned community like Wyndham will typically be closer to good schools, commercial/retail centers, and major transportation corridors.

Investing in your future. Homes in master-planned community like Wyndham tend to maintain their value a little better than other developments. Homebuyers see them as more desirable places to live because they’re convenient to work, school and amenities. Your homeowner’s association dues are truly an investment in the future and contribute to the ongoing maintenance of community landscaping, pools, parks, recreation centers and other common area amenities. As the years pass, the homeowners association refreshes and renovates amenities as needed so the community continues to maintain its level of quality and desirability.

Sense of community. There’s also a strong sense of community in Wyndham, where families and children gather at the playground or at a community event and where a pool or recreation center is often the center of activity. Wyndham has a on-site elementary school (Shady Grove) and retail centers such as Short Pump Town Center are minutes away, making handling life’s daily activities easy and convenient.

You can feel the pride of good planning in the way the residents feel about their community. They own much more than a comfortable home in a beautiful neighborhood. They have a great place to live — whether they are starting a family, raising children, enjoying a new phase of life as a couple or cherishing their privacy.

Check out these FEATURED HOMES in Wyndham!

12104 Drumore Court Glen Allen, VA 23059   MLS #: 1025184 $549,950
Sq. Ft.: 3,743  Bed: 4 + Bonus  Bath: 3 1/2

Absolutely beautiful home sits on a quiet cul-de-sac. Features 2 Story Foyer, formal Living & Dining Rooms, large Family Room with built in bookcases and recessed entertainment cabinet, Sun Room with vaulted ceiling & skylights, designer Kitchen with custom cabinets & granite countetops, vaulted eat In area, front & rear staircases, Master with tray ceiling, finished 3rd floor with large Recreation Room with wet bar and a full bath. New HVAC unit for 1st floor.

Directions: Nuckols Road to Wyndham Park Drive. Right onto Old Wyndham Drive. Left onto Morestead. First right onto Drumore Court.

6020 Chestnut Hill Drive Glen Allen, VA 23059  MLS #: 1107210  $399,950
Sq. Ft.: 3,232  Bed: 4 + Bonus Room  Bath: 3 1/2

Gorgeous transitional with 2 Story Foyer, formal Living & Dining Rooms, bright Kitchen with tile floor & granite countertops, Family Room with built in bookcases with granite tops, large Master Bedroom with walk in closet and luxurious Master Bath, hall bathroom with tile, finished 3rd floor with 5th bedroom or large Bonus Room and full bathroom with tile, fenced backyard, security system and much more!

Directions: Nuckols Road to Wyndham Lake Drive. Left onto Old Wyndham Drive. Left onto Chestnut Hill Drive.

6100 Kelston Green Drive Glen Allen, VA 23059  MLS #: 1104954   $337,000
Kelston Green At Wyndham
Sq. Ft.: 2,131  Bed: 3  Bath: 2 1/2

Absolutely immaculate Wyndham home with no exterior maintenance! Features include formal Living and Dining Rooms with hardwood floors, 2 Story Family Room with neutral carpet and gas fireplace, updated Kitchen with new granite countertops and bright Eat In Area, Master Bedroom with vaulted ceiling and His/Her walk in closets, luxurious Master Bath with jetted tub and enclosed shower, two additional bedrooms, hall bathroom with tile, aggregate patio, storage shed and much more!

Directions: Nuckols Road to Wyndham Lake Drive. Right onto Old Wyndham Drive. Right onto Kelston Green Drive.

These homes are featured exclusively by Skye Bruce Properties!
Listing Agent: Skye Bruce   Phone: 804-539-8571   Email: skye@skyebruce.com

Numerous amenities make living in Twin Hickory an incredible experience. The development includes Twin Hickory Town Center with shops, restaurants, a grocery store and is close to Downtown Short Pump, Short Pump Town Center and the newly developed West Broad Village. There is a beautiful community pool and tennis courts, a Henrico County Public Library, the Shady Grove YMCA, Twin Hickory Elementary School, Deep Run High School and other amenities which are accessible from a a network of sidewalks and paths. Twin Hickory offers a lot to its residents and is a great place to raise a family!

Check out these great featured homes in Twin Hickory!

11609 Hearthstone Drive,  Glen Allen, VA 23059  $465,000 4BR, 3.5BA + Study + Loft

This beautiful Twin Hickory home is in immaculate condition and has had many upgrades added by present owner. Features include hardwood floors and 9′ ceilings on 1st floor, 2 Story Foyer, 1st floor Study, formal Living & Dining Rooms, Kitchen with granite counters and tile backsplash, Morning Room with vaulted ceiling, Family Room with 2 sets of french doors, open Loft on 2nd floor, Master with Sitting Area and huge walk in closet, luxurious Master Bath with jetted tub and enclosed shower, Jack & Jill bath between two bedrooms, private bath in one bedroom, new tile floors in bathrooms, deck, ceiling fans in all bedrooms, Security System, hardwood floors on 2nd floor (except in Master) and much more. Walking distance to schools, new Henrico Library, Twin Hickory Clubhouse/Pool and the Shady Grove YMCA. For more information about this home and to view a virtual tour click here! To tour this home contact Skye Bruce Properties.

5043 Willows Green Road Glen Allen, VA 23059  $455,000 5/6BR 4.5BA + Bonus Room

Absolutely immaculate Twin Hickory home features 9′ ceilings and hardwood floors on 1st floor, 2 Story Foyer with balcony overlook, Living Room with architectural columns, Dining Room with tray ceiling, Kitchen with granite counters and cherry cabinets, Family Room wired for Surround Sound, 1st floor Master with His & Her walk in closets, four spacious bedrooms on 2nd floor with walk in closets and Jack & Jill bathrooms, 2nd Master Suite with luxurious bathroom on 3rd floor could be Guest quarters or Recreation Room. Detached 2 car garage has overhead storage. Upgrades include Intercom/Music system, crown & hardwood in 2nd floor hallway, Rinnai tankless water heater, 1st & 2nd floor Laundry Rooms & much more! Walking distance to schools, new Henrico Library, Twin Hickory Clubhouse/Pool and the Shady Grove YMCA. For more information about this home and to view a virtual tour click here! To tour this home contact Skye Bruce Properties.

These homes are listed exclusively by Skye Bruce.

Skye Bruce Properties, REMAX Action, 11551 Nuckols Rd, Glen Allen VA 23058, 804-467-7041.

Within the Wyndham Forest neighborhood is Rivers Edge Elementary School which won the prestigious Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence in January 2008. Short Pump Middle School and Deep Run High School are also fully accredited Virginia schools with SOL score ratings in the high 90% percentiles. A new middle school is slated to open in the fall of 2010 and will be located less than 2 miles from Wyndham Forest on Nuckols Road.

There are two neighborhood parks within Wyndham Forest which offer playground equipment and a safe gathering place for children and parents alike. Several small ponds add to the beauty of the neighborhood. The newest Henrico County library, Shady Grove YMCA, shopping and restaurants are also located within walking distance and offer a wide range of family conveniences and activities. Wyndham Forest is an active community offering several neighborhood parties throughout the year and other functions such as Bunko, Dinner groups, neighborhood picnics and holiday gatherings.  Wyndham Forest is just minutes away from the Short Pump/Broad Street shopping and dining corridor including Short Pump Town Center and Broad Street Village.

FEATURED HOMES!

Stately Brick Front Home! Only 589,000!

5 Bedrooms + Study + Rec Room!

Almost 5000 Square Feet!

Absolutely beautiful brick front home sits on quiet cul-de-sac with large lot that backs to neighborhood pond. Features 9′ ceilings, formal Living & Dining Rooms, 2 Story Foyer with turned staircase, Family Room with vaulted ceiling, Kitchen with corian, 1st floor Study, full bath on 1st floor, walk out Basement with huge Recreation Room & full bath, good-sized bedrooms, Master with 2 closets and luxurious bathroom, finished 3rd floor with 5th bedroom & full bathroom, Screened Porch, security system, 3 Unit HVAC, over-sized gas water heater, fenced & landscaped backyard & much more!  For more information about 5221 Rivers Edge Place, Glen Allen VA 23059 click here!

Executive Home for less than $400,000!

4 Bedrooms + Bonus Room; 3270 Square Feet

All for Only $399,950

This beautiful Wyndham Forest home sits on a quiet cul-de-sac lot with mature trees in the backyard giving it lots of privacy. Features include 9′ ceilings, hardwood floors, formal Living & Dining Rooms, bright Kitchen ths is open to the Family Room, turned staircase to 2nd floor, spacious Master Bedroom with His & Her walk in closets, luxurious Master Bath with jetted tub & enclosed shower, good-sized bedrooms, finished 3rd floor with Recreation Room and attic storage area. Additional features include a whole yard irrigation system, tiered rear deck, 83 Gallon gas water heater and more. For more information about 5409 Elmwood Forest Court, Glen Allen VA 23059 click here!

To schedule a tour of these homes or any homes in the Richmond area contact Skye Bruce Properties today!

Skye Bruce Properties, REMAX Action, 11551 Nuckols Rd, Glen Allen VA 23058, 804-467-7041.

As development moves farther and farther west on Broad Street to Short Pump and beyond it’s great to see revitalization “back east” on Broad.  The Willow Lawn area was certainly a Short Pump type area in the 60′s and 70′s and today it remains a vibrant and prime location.  A block over in the 5200 block of Monument Ave, a new luxury condo/townhome development called Monument Square is being built where just a few years ago stood old, blighted apartments.

Interested in learning more about new developments around the Richmond area?  Skye Bruce Properties has a team of experts in helping home buyers locate the best new developments and communities.  Contact Skye Bruce Properties today!

Now my affection with the Ginter Park area goes back to my childhood. I grew up in Northside, just over the border in Henrico about 10 minutes away.  I remember heading to the long since closed Belle Bakery to pick out a cake for my birthdays or sitting at the counter in the old Wiley Drug Store (now a CVS) and having a limeade or going to the “dime store” to get a toy. Its great to see a resurgence in area businesses in the area today.  There is a great restaurant, The Northside Grill on Bellevue and the owners opened a neighborhood ice cream store around the corner on MacArthur Ave.  MacArthur Ave is also home to the before mentioned Tastebuds Restaurant, an old pub with live music called Shannigans, Dot’s Back Inn, a restaurant profiled by Guy Fieri’s Diners,Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network, a neigborhood market, a pizza joint, a cool coffee house and a wine store in the old 7-11.

The houses in the neighborhood are as diverse as the types of establishments on MacArthur. You will find everything from small bungalows to georgian mansions and everything in between.  In a world where so many neigborhoods look the same, Ginter Park probably has more distinct and different styles of houses than any other neighborhood in Richmond.  Prices are also a great value when compared to similar homes in the Near West End and the Fan District of Richmond.

There is a nice selection of homes on the market currently on the market in Ginter Park and its a Buyer’s Market!  For a listing of these homes  email Skye Bruce Properties, the Official REALTOR and Buyer’s Agents of RichmondHomeShopper.com.  You can also use our Market-Snapshot feature to view area homes!

I also found a great website about the Ginter Park neighborhood in Richmond: www.historicginterpark.org

Sea Pines Compass on Brandermill Sign

Brandermill should look to its history as it looks to its future!

Chesterfield County’s Brandermill development is holding several public hearings to get input on the creation of a new master plan for the community.  The 4000+ home development along the shores of the Swift Creek Reservoir was developed in the 70′s and was named “The Best Planned Community in America” by Better Homes and Gardens and the National Association of Home Builders in 1977.  Brandermill was the first planned community in Chesterfield County and really the first of its type in the Richmond area.

The design of the original development was influenced heavily by Charles Fraser, the late developer of Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island South Carolina. His influence is unmistakable from the style of some of the early architecture in Brandermill to those large green mailboxes, even the compass used in the Brandermill logo was the just like the one used for Sea Pines Plantation.

Fraser was a developer who was a committed environmentalist before developers were committed environmentalist.  His vision was to protect the natural beauty of the land he developed and to make the smallest possible man made foot prints on the land. Fraser even changed the design of the Harbor Town marina, which is the centerpiece of the island, to save an ancient Live Oak.  A rarity today in the scorched earth like development of so much of our land.

As the new plan is developed a historical perspective might be a great guide to the residents, community leaders and land planners involved in the project.  Coming home to a Brandermill which feels like the original, natural, almost resort like development would be pretty cool!

One last fact!  Did you know Wintergreen was also planned with the involvement of Charles Fraser of the Sea Pines Company?  If you remember early Wintergreen homes had many of the same “Hilton Head” architectural features, they had those same big green mail boxes and even used the compass in some of the logos and marketing.

Midlothian is a community in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Founded over 300 years ago as a coal mining village, it is now a bustling, popular suburban community located well beyond the city limits in the Southside area of Richmond, Virginia. Chesterfield County is the fourth-largest municipality in Virginia and boasts some of the best schools in the area. Midlothian is located along the semi-circumferential Route 288 which links Interstate 64 for convenient, easy access to Richmond’s West End. Midlothian was ranked #37 in CNNMoney’s list of “The Best Places to Live” in 2005.

For more information about Brookcreek Crossing, other Richmond area developments or additional area information contact a RichmondHomeShopper.com Buyer’s Agent today!

The 190 homes will be a combination of single-family homes and condos built in the far northwest corner of the county along the border of Goochland and Hanover counties.

While the vote by the Board of Supervisors was unanimous, opinions in the Wyndham community are mixed as there are worries about additional traffic, over use of community facilities and the proposed sizes of houses.

HHHunt is the original developer of Wyndham, an award winning, master planned community so many residents are hopeful the new areas will be in line with the quality of the original development. The new plan also includes a contribution from HHHunt to expand and upgrade facilities.

Wyndham is a master planned community consisting of over 1600 single-family homes, town-homes, and condominiums homes. Wyndham was established in 1990 and is located in one of the most desirable locations in the Richmond, Virginia metro area.

Wyndham is home to the The Dominion Club, a private country club and golf course designed by 2 time US Open champion and Virginian, Curtis Strange. Other amenities within Wyndham include a Swim and Racquet Club open to all residents, several parks, a large lake, an amphitheater for concerts, playgrounds and miles of sidewalks and walking trails. Shady Grove Elementary School is also located within Wyndham.

In addition to these new homes slated for contstruction in 2009 and 2010, there is a wide variety of homes currently on the market within Wyndham. Our RichmondHomeShopper.com Buyer’s Agents are experts on the Wyndham real estate market and are available to provide information and show you any homes of interest.