THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411030295
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAIGE FLEMING, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 117 lines
It's a neighborhood as lush as its name - Emerald Greens - implies. Streets have names like Masters Row, Sand Trap Court and Baffy Loop.
It is a small golf course community with homes that range from luxurious to downright extravagant. It's the American dream, my piece of the pie, says one resident.
Emerald Greens is a Chesapeake subdivision that shares its 18-hole golf course with the Fairways, Wedgewood Estates and Greenwood. It is not far from Interstate 64, just off Volvo Parkway and about five minutes from Greenbrier Mall.
Although membership in the Greenbrier Country Club is a separate fee and does not come with buying a house in any of these areas, being in Emerald Greens is like living at a country club. The fairway runs though the center of the neighborhood and many homes back right up to it. It's like having a soft rolling green wave run right through the center of things, says another resident.
Barbara and Norman Ward, life many who live here, recently built in Emerald Greens and moved in just last week. They built a four-bedroom, 3,800-square-foot, two-story, dark ruby brick home.
``We wanted a spacious entry, the master bedroom downstairs and an all-gas home,'' Norman Ward says, ``We wanted a nice neighborhood that we could move up to.
The Wards moved from a smaller home in Virginia Beach and were attracted to the subdivision because it offered large, elegant houses. And since most of the homes are custom-built, they also had an opportunity to add their choice of amenities: larger rooms and a two-story entry way.
A major reason they moved is that Norman Ward owns a business that has relocated two miles away. ``It's close and I can entertain business associates,'' he says.
Robert and Barbara Shimmel moved to Emerald Greens from Michigan. The occupied their custom-built home on Memorial Day weekend and are still pleased with their surroundings.
``When we lived in Michigan, we had long commutes and there was a lot of traffic. When we knew we were going to move here, we decided we wanted some changes, so we made them.''
One change was moving to a more convenient area. ``This area is friendly,'' Barbara Shimmel says. ``We wanted to take a step back from the big metro area we left but we wanted to be close to things. Here, shopping is 10 minutes away. I go to Norfolk a lot for the museums and opera. All we have to do is hop on I-464 and in 20 minutes we're there.''
Robert Shimmel, who came here five months before his wife, scouted the neighborhood and found the builder they wanted to use. Their home includes five bedrooms, a Florida room, four full baths plus a private guest suite over the garage.
The 4,200-foot dwelling rests on the eighth fairway where there is ``always a nice view,'' says Robert Shimmel.
Another reason the Shimmels as well as the Wards decided on Emerald Greens was the ease in becoming a part of the small close neighborhood. ``It has more of an old-fashioned feel to it. It's secluded and private,'' Robert Shimmel says. ``The people are the best reason to be here. Your neighbors look out for your home and take you mail and paper in when you're out of town.''
The neighborhood tends to be a favorite for those who are relocating from the North or moving up from other local areas, says Greta Wiltz, a real estate broker for William E. Wood & Associates.
``There's a wonderful mix of people in this area,'' she says. ``There are many families as well as older couples with grown children.''
Although a few of these upscale homes are built on speculation, most are customized for the homeowner. Many people have come with their own plans, says Wiltz, and they come here to make their dream home come true.
Larry Brinn, an area builder for 27 years, says that this is the nicest subdivision he's ever worked for. ``The subdivision was started in 1987 but was hit by the sagging economy until about 2 1/2 years ago,'' he says. ``Then it started to pick up. All the lots have been bought now.''
And, he says, as far as resale goes, ``you can't lose your money. No way.''
Brinn also is a golfer and says that the Greenbrier Country Club has one of the nicest courses in the entire area. ``I'm a 2 handicapper and it's tough,'' he says. ``It's tough on the front and tight on the back. But even if you don't golf, it's a nice place to live.'' MEMO: ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Schools: Greenbrier Elementary, Crestwood Middle School, Indian River
High School.
Shopping: Various strip shopping centers, Greenbrier Mall,
Battlefield Boulevard shops.
Recreation: New branch library within walking distance, City Park and
Greenbrier Sports Complex, golf, water sports, fishing.
Assessments: Roughly from $240,000 to more than $700,000. Since the
neighborhood hasn't been completed and houses are still being built,
assessments haven't caught up.
FOR SALE At 1408 Baffy Loop, a five-bedroom, three-bathroom,
two-story transitional brick house, containing 3,640 square feet, is
listed at $299,750.
At 1321 Baffy Loop, a five-bedroom, four-bathroom, two-story
transitional gray drivit, with 4,166 square feet, is listed for
$395,000.
At 1213 Masters Row, a five-bedroom, four-bathroom, two-story brick
traditional, with 4,000 square feet, is listed for $395,000.
SOLD
At 1309 Crestwick Court, a five-bedroom, four-bathroom, two-story
brick transitional sold for $449,900 in 1992.
At 1104 Masters Row, a four-bedroom, 4 1/2-bathroom brick
contemporary sold for $375,000 in May.
At 1110 Masters Row, a five-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom brick traditional
on the golf course and lake sold for $393,542 in June. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by STEVE EARLEY, Staff
Emerald Greens is where people finally buy their dream homes. The
dwellings are upscale, many are custom-built. And the Greenbrier
Country Club surrounds the area.
Barbara and Norman Ward look down on their two-level entry way. The
couple moved to Chesapeake from Virginia Beach just last week.
by CNB