Won't You Be My Neighbor: Sycamore Square
HOMEstyle
October 2010

Sycamore Square in Fluvanna County
offers homeowners the chance to enjoy nature in their own back yards—all while being close to numerous amenities. The community, across from Lake Monticello, is surrounded by a 26-acre nature preserve with miles of walking trails for residents.  Sycamore Square offers a variety of home sites and floor plans through its builders: Ryan Homes and Southern Development.

Ryan Homes has sold 89 of its 111 single-family home sites. Ryan Homes also offers townhome models, as well as several single-family floor plans to choose from. “We are selling our final section of single-family homes and only have two townhomes remaining,” says Ben Davis, Sales and Marketing Representative for Ryan Homes. “We’ve just introduced a brand new first-floor master floor plan:The Colville—complete with a two-car garage and a finished basement.”  Southern Development offers attached homes and larger estate homes up to 4,000 square feet. There are many floor plans homebuyers can customize on the handful of lots available on Lexie Lane, as well as a new phase to begin in the future.

“[Sycamore Square] has all the convenience and neighborly aspects of a nice community with amenities— shopping, dining, etc.—but it isn’t crowded,” says Charlie Armstrong, Vice President, Land Development of Southern Development.” You can have privacy and community in the same place!”  Sycamore Square offers a 5.5-acre recreation area, including a playground and picnic area for residents to enjoy and construction has begun on a new fitness center/clubhouse. Within a five minute walk, homeowners will find four restaurants, a daycare center and a CVS outside the Lake Monticello gate and the neighborhood is only 15 miles from Charlottesville, Armstrong notes.  Davis says Ryan Homes offers three types of home sites to fit any desire: open half-acre home sites that “maximize yard space. Wooded home sites that offer privacy and wooded cul-de-sac home sites which back to the nature preserve.”  The single-family homes range from $199,990-288,740—depending on the size and the style of the home, he adds. The townhomes start at $149,990. Ryan Homes is an ENERGY STAR Qualified Builder, meaning that 100 percent of the homes it builds meet ENERGY STAR standards, Davis notes. Homeowners can also customize their homes with numerous upgrade options, including brick and stone exteriors, granite kitchen and bath countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood and ceramic tile, jetted soaking tubs, composite exterior decking and more.

Southern Development offers attached villas that are 1,400 square feet, starting at $170,000. The larger Arts and Crafts inspired singlefamily homes range from 1,900-2,500 finished square feet. "All single-family homes come on full unfinished basements  with prices ranging from $270,000-330,000,” Armstrong says.  The future phrase of Sycamore Square will be “even more private” because they’ll be in the back of the development near the Rivanna River. Homes come standard with oak hardwood floors, ceramic tile bathrooms and GE appliances, Armstrong notes, though there are home, kitchen and appliance upgrades available to customize the home to the owners’ tastes.

While Sycamore Square does not have a pool for homeowners, they may purchase a social membership to Lake Monticello for a yearly fee that allows access to the pool, beaches and other amenities, Davis and Armstrong note.  “With interest rates at 50-year lows, Sycamore Square offers those that are currently renting the ability to own their own home for less than or equal to what they currently may be renting for in the City of Charlottesville,” Davis says. “For those folks that would like to move into a new home, but must sell their current home first, we offer a Home to Sell Contingency Program.”

Ryan Homes has been in the business for more than 60 years, Davis says, and in Charlottesville since 2004. For more information about nearby communities, virtual floor plan tours or other information, visit www.ryanhomes.com. As well, Davis says, the model home is open seven days a week. Call (434) 589-5315 to set up a time to visit.

Southern Development is a local builder and was voted favorite builder in 2010 by the readers of the Daily Progress, Armstrong notes. “We pay attention to detail,” he says. “We focus on energy efficiency. We pride ourselves on customer service."

Southern Development is slated to begin Village Oaks in 2011, across from the main gate of Lake Monticello with more than 100 homes in several phases, Armstrong says. For information about Southern Development, including the different floor plans and the lots available, visit www.southerndevelopment.com. To set up an appointment, contact Alexis Sipfle at (434) 326-1377.