The Real Estate Weekly | 12.21.22

BY CARLA HUCKABEE

CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE, FLUVANNA, GREENE, LOUISA, MADISON, NELSON, ORANGE, AUGUSTA

WESTWOOD ROAD

The Water view dominates the interior spaces from most rooms in this fabulous, new, waterfront residence. Expansive views from two full length decks promise hours or days of relaxation. The front door opens to the great room with wood burning fireplace and hardwood floors. A bright open kitchen with gorgeous counter tops and appliances. Complete one floor living with master suite featuring a walk-in shower and double vanities. 2 additional bedrooms with a full bath. The terrace level offers more water views, even from the laundry room! A large family room, an additional bedroom and full bath round out the finished rooms. Large unfinished room can serve as storage, studio, or workshop. $500,000

CHURCH PLAINS DRIVE

Beautiful 2.15 acre lot set in a quiet neighborhood, in the western school districts. A bright open floor plan with vaulted entrance and a turned staircase. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, full unfinished basement plus a large 2 car garage. Hardwood floors throughout the first floor. Large, bright kitchen with island, pantry, and terrific breakfast room. The kitchen looks into the family room that features a wall of windows and a fireplace. The wrap-around front porch takes in the lovely setting.The rear deck overlooks the large yard with room to play and a great place to garden. $625,000

callsharon.today@yahoo.com cell: 434.981.7200

Rives Bailey Ashley Balazs Michael Blackmore Curt Bradley Doug Burke Frankie Carl Carol Clarke

Brad Conner

Carol Costanzo Pam Drumheller Anita Dunbar Kelly Faillace

Carter

Peggy Rooth

Jessica Saadut

Laurel

John Farmer Alice Fitch

Mike Gaffney

Simon Joseph

Peter McFarrren

Barbara McMurry

That’s local artist Duffy Dillinger’s response when asked to compare Lake Monticello with other gated communities in Central Virginia.

“There just isn’t the same natural beauty in any of the other gated or golf course communities around here,” says Dillinger. “When we moved from New Jersey in 2018, we knew we wanted to be in the Charlottesville area but didn’t want to pay Charlottesville prices. Lake Monticello was within a 30-minute drive and much more affordable.”

While searching for value, they realized what a gem they found. The natural beauty, the community amenities, and most importantly, the people.

The Basics

On the surface, Lake Monticello resembles other gated communities. It has the requisite golf course, restaurants, and pool, with the added bonus of a lake with more than 22 miles of shoreline.

Built in the late 1960s, the community was originally envisioned as an enclave of summertime vacation homes. Then, Hurricane Camille swept through on August 19, 1969, and topped off the 350-acre lake overnight.

Soon buyers arrived who wanted to stay year-round, effectively making Lake

INCOMPARABLE Lake

Monticello

BY CARLA HUCKABEE

Monticello a bedroom community of Charlottesville. Only 13 miles away, it retains that status today.

Associate Broker Maggie Gunnels with Gunnels Group Real Estate has called Lake Monticello home for more than 16 years. She says, “Approximately 60 percent of Lake Monticello residents work, and most commute to Charlottesville. We have some commuters driving to the Richmond area too, about an hour away.

“We even have people headed into DC and northern Virginia once or twice a week for work. It’s worth the drive to be able to live here full time.”

Vicki Wilson, Principal Broker/Owner of Monticello Country Real Estate, Inc., reports that the lake’s fiber optic network serves the work-from-home crowd very well. “It allows workers to enjoy this

lifestyle and only occasionally show up at the office, if at all.”

Resort-like Amenities

All the amenities do indeed make Lake Monticello worth the commute. With beaches, an 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, and sports complex, there is not much that you can’t do at Lake Monticello.

The owners of each residential lot automatically become members of the Lake Monticello Owners’ Association (LMOA). Membership gives owners access to a great slate of activities and amenities including boating and fishing on the lake and access to the marina, boat launches, slips, and racks.

Wilson moved here 25 years ago when her kids were little. She says, “There are so

many things to enjoy at Lake Monticello. I live next to one of the beaches and have my pontoon boat parked at a slip. We can walk down anytime and enjoy it.”

With the extensive shoreline, the lake is a haven for kayakers to explore and anglers to catch largemouth bass, sunfish, perch, and other fish.

Swimmers enjoy five beaches and access to the outdoor pool. Dillinger prefers the lake over laps in the pool. “I swim in the lake all summer for exercise. It’s a great place to swim from early May to late September. And now, when it’s too cold to swim outside, I take an exercise class at Ivy Fitness Center, right outside the gates to Lake Monticello. It’s super convenient.”

Open 24/7, Ivy Fitness gives residents an additional resource to keep them in shape and have convenient access to a workout, coaching, and physical therapy when needed.

Landlubbers have just as much to enjoy as water lovers. Playgrounds, basketball courts, a walking track, and ball fields are sprinkled throughout the grounds.

Nearly every day you can hear the “pop-pop-pop” and “ping-ping-ping” of tennis and pickleball volleys echoing from one of the two court locations, including one under the lights. Groups of juniors, mixed doubles and singles, or the Rusty Racquets keep the courts active year-round.

“You really can’t compare.”

Walkers, with or without a golf club in hand, have lots of options. In addition to the golf course and walking track, there are miles of greenways and walking paths. Jogging, leisurely ambling, or cycling through the quiet, mostly 25-mile-perhour community streets are other ways residents enjoy a daily dose of outdoor exercise, and a chance to breathe in trees.

Besides all the action-oriented amenities, there are two clubhouses for public and private events, meetings, and social get-togethers. Dining at The Lakeside Restaurant or The Pub Restaurant and Bar rounds out the slate of amenities and makes Lake Monticello living delightful all year long.

Patsy Strong, Principal Broker at Strong Team, Realtors, says, “What sets Lake Monticello apart from other communities are its impressive amenities and special year-round events. I purchased my first home in Lake Monticello back in 1996. I’ve owned three homes here since then. I chose to move here for the same reasons buyers purchase homes here today—wonderful amenities and a warm, supportive community atmosphere. No other community can compare!”

People Power

The trees, lake, pool, golf course, and ball courts are just the backdrop for the Lake Monticello quality of life. What takes lake life to the next level are the people.

Dillinger says, “I’ve never had so many friends in all my life! The people I have met here are super friendly and kind. I know there are all sorts of groups to be involved with, but it’s not just the social clubs.

“For me, it started by meeting a neighbor on a walk. Then she introduced me to another, and another. Yes, I’m part of the wine tasters club, but life here is so much more than that.”

The Lake Monticello community has cracked the code on resident affinity groups. The Newcomers and Old Friends Club helps new and old become fast friends based on common interests. Wine tasters, craft beer lovers, history buffs, hikers…imagine an interest group, and it either already exists or can be started up if there’s more than one person interested.

In addition to the self-run resident interest groups, the LMOA provides a great deal of support to uphold and strengthen bonds that develop between neighbors through a robust activities program. Merieke Henry, LMOA Communications Director, keeps residents informed of all the fun ways to participate in community life at Lake Monticello.

Recent highlights have been a community bonfire for neighbors and friends on the Main Beach and a sleigh full of winter holiday events throughout December. Upcoming is a New Year’s Eve party and dance, Italian nights at the Lakeside Restaurant, trivia nights at The Pub…the list goes on and on.

The combined efforts of the Newcomers and Old Friends Club and the LMOA make getting out and about with neighbors easy. There are lots of groups to explore or events to participate in without any ongoing pressure. This com-

bination of always feeling invited but not obligated makes for a high level of participation and a strong social network among residents of all ages.

Still a Strong Market

There are just over 4,600 lots in Lake Monticello. More than 4,300 have completed homes on them and there are 10 condos adjacent to the marina. The community has more than 12,000 residents, making it the most populated community in Fluvanna County.

“I’ve always felt that purchasing a home in Lake Monticello is a wise investment. That’s why I purchased here years ago before I became a REALTOR®,” says Strong. “The community is beautifully maintained, and the Board continues to update and improve its amenities year after year.”

Whereas some resort-style communities allow short-term rentals, at Lake Monticello you know who your neighbors are, and they don’t change every week. Wilson says, “Weekly or vacation

rentals are not permitted. Some people do buy second homes with the plan to eventually retire here, but there’s no Airbnb allowed.” That can make a big difference.

Right now, “There are 18 existing homes on the market,” says Gunnels, “and six homes are under construction. That’s up a bit from where it has been all year.

“Days on market are also rising. But if a home is priced right, it will still go very quickly, even with these higher interest rates. After some sticker shock, buyers are getting used to interest rates of six percent and up. They are coming to realize that the rates under four were an anomaly.”

Strong agrees. “The market is definitely changing, and we are already sensing the slowdown. With this said, however, early to mid-2023 will still be a great time for sellers and buyers to come together at Lake Monticello.”

As is true for most lake communities, waterfront homes are the hottest

commodities. There are 511 waterfront homes on Lake Monticello, with very few for sale at any one time. Wilson says, “We are continuing to see multiple offers on any waterfront homes that come to market, a mix of cash buyers and those seeking financing.”

Out-of-area buyers search for waterfront properties or a waterfront community and stumble upon Lake Monticello. So, it’s likely that homes in Lake Monticello will continue to see interest outstripping inventory, especially for waterfront homes. Wilson says, “We are no longer Central Virginia’s bestkept secret.

“The market here is still strong. Interest rates are high from where they were last spring and buyers are holding off somewhat, though rates did drop a bit this past week.

“What’s encouraging is that lenders are getting creative in offering new programs. My preferred lender has a temporary buydown that uses a fraction of the seller’s closing costs to buy down the interest rate, effectively lowering the borrower’s payment for two years.

“Carl Heimlich’s company, GO Mortgage, is partnering with us at Monticello Country Real Estate to offer First Responders a free home warranty, discounted closing costs, and discounted settlement fees.”

Buyers shouldn’t let an elevated mortgage interest rate scare them out of the market. A good REALTOR® and lender can sometimes find creative solutions to keep monthly payments low even while mortgage rates are high.

Gunnels agrees. “This Lake Monticello market can work for all types of buyers—first-time home buyers, people moving up to more space, empty nesters, retirees.”

For buyers who want some of what Lake Monticello offers and are unable to wait for the right home to come on the market, there are some options. Associate memberships at Lake Monticello for people living outside the gate offer some of the social and golf amenities that homeowners inside the gate enjoy.

Ryan Homes recently completed more than 100 new one-level living homes at Village Oaks. It sold out quickly, and a handful of additional new neighborhoods are at some stage of review in the immediate vicinity. While those developments may be able to capitalize on greater affordability than can be had in Charlottesville, the draw isn’t nearly as powerful without all the resort-style benefits that come with full Lake Monticello membership.

One after another, Lake Monticello residents say that what initially attracted them to the community was the affordability. Ask Dillinger or Henry or their neighbor, tri-athlete Len Toledo.

But after becoming part of the community, they realized what they had uncovered. The “summer camp” style amenities and activities that deliver all year long. The trees and natural beauty are built into the community. And finally, the friendships and connections contribute so much to the rich quality of life.

Together it makes for a gated community unlike any other in Central Virginia.

HATTON RIDGE FARM

A most tranquil and private 278+ acre grazing and hay farm with two-thirds mile of James River frontage. The centerpiece of Hatton Ridge Farm is an impressive 4-5 bedroom, brick Georgian home, built circa 2000. MLS#634311 $3,675,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

PEA RIDGE FARM

317 acre estate that has it all: location, views, water, stunning main residence, event center and more! The 15+ acre lake is centered among lush rolling fields of rich grass and a spectacular 5-BR home with heart pine floors, 4 FP, study, garages, and unparalleled views exists. 25 minutes west of Charlottesville in Greenwood, this exceptional property is a one-of-a-kind, not to be replicated, gem. Also includes a large metal barn, log cabin with FP, stunning party barn and a 2 BR cottage. Additional acreage available. MLS#631962 $8,875,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

120-acre

ROUND HILL

MLS#625402 $5,450,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

EDNAM FOREST

Well-maintained, 2-story, 2,950+ sf home offers 3-bedrooms and 2-baths, situated on two lots containing 3.60 acres (divisible). Totally private environment of mature plantings with lovely mountain views. MLS#636669 $1,745,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

BROOMFIELD FARM

29 acres fronting Blenheim Rd. a small agricultural & residential subdivision with CCR’s, but NO HOA. 2 buildable lots, with an historic red barn, silo, & an 8-stall stable. Driveway in place, underground power, well & water, & several building spots with mountain views. MLS#624834 $495,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

RIVER LAWN FARM

Southern Albemarle estate with 1.5 miles of frontage on the James River with 540± acres of highly fertile, gently rolling landscape. Historic farmhouse dating to the late 1700s offers extensive views of the river. Under conservation easement with the VOF. MLS#630470 $4,865,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

BLACKBERRY HILL FARM

Blue Ridge Mountain views from this impeccable country property with an attractive, well designed and selfsustaining 5,525 finished square foot residence on 38± acres. Three car garage and barn designed for 3 stalls along with finished second floor office/full bath. Many amenities such as a full house generator, solar panels and geothermal HVAC. The perimeter is fenced and a mix of woods, two pastures and spring fed stream. A peaceful oasis easily accessible to Charlottesville and Washington DC region. MLS#634846 $1,550,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

Pastoral views from this 3-bedroom

home set on over 159 acres in

Ideal for farming with fenced pastures and ample water sources. Property is not under easement and has 4 division rights. MLS#630428 $1,685,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

TURKEY SAG ROAD

33-acre property with beautifully constructed 3-4BR home. Home features great room with dramatic stone fireplace and panoramic views and large master suite with private deck. Peace, privacy and tranquility unsurpassed, but close to town. MLS#635341 $1,875,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

GREENFIELDS FARM

Impressive 763-acre country estate approximately 25 miles south of Charlottesville.The property showcases a stately southern residence, built circa 1904, extensive equestrian facilities, recreation opportunities, creeks and a pond. MLS#623792 $6,295,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863 greenfieldsfarmva.com

GREEN ACRES

brick

Southern Albemarle.

Albemarle County estate featuring a 5-bedroom manor home with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Rivanna Reservoir frontage. Close proximity to the city limits and CharlottesvilleAlbemarle airport!

RED HILL

10 miles south of Charlottesville, a beautiful 283 acres, rolling to hilly, mostly wooded tract, borders Walnut Creek Park, with lake and miles of trails. This land has pastures, trails, creeks and a river! Many homesites, NO EASEMENTS. MLS#634310 $1,995,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

SOUTHWIND ESTATES

3 separate parcels with commanding Blue Ridge Mtn. views, level building sites 15 minutes from Charlottesville. Sites have been perked, have wells, and ready for your dream home. MLS#632482 $375,000 (7.8 acres), MLS#632490 $275,000 (2.4 acres), MLS#632487 $175,000 (2.0 acres), Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

GATEWAY CIRCLE

Prime end-unit residence in a quiet Forest Lakes community. Enjoy the outdoors through views from the many windows, miles of walking trails or recreational activities. Private living with easy access to Charlottesville. MLS#635657 $299,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

SUNNYSIDE

Large parcel convenient to Charlottesville and UVA. Exceptional Blue Ridge views, farm house (in need of restoration). Under VOF easement but with divisions into already predetermined parcels. MLS#585228 $4,400,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

DUDLEY MOUNTAIN ROAD

Unique 88-acre property with 4-bedroom home. Property includes two-car garage, storage shed/ shop and 3760-sf. multipurpose building. Beautiful mountain and lake views just 4 miles from Charlottesville. MLS#635483 $1,275,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

820 CONDO

Well-designed corner condo consisting of an exceptionally bright great room with high ceilings, ample space for both relaxed living and dining, 1-BR, 1-BA and inviting private balcony. Views of the Downtown skyline and mountains. MLS#634496 $285,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

BRIDLEWOOD TRAIL

Private Keswick residence on 18.6 acres with views of the Southwest Mountains. 3-bedrooms, 1.5-baths with wood floors, screen porch and 2-car garage. Open and wooded land. Easy access to Charlottesville and UVA. MLS#634905 $695,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

CROZET AREA

Beautiful building lot of 3.3 acres, less than a mile to Crozet shopping. Mostly in pasture, creek, and elevated homesite with panoramic views of mountains, pond, and surrounding pastoral area. MLS#636349 $450,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

GREENTREES

94+ acres 20 minutes from Charlottesville. Originally part of a 188-acre tract, two parcels may be purchased separately or together, with 2 developmental rights each. Mostly maturing pine and very long public road frontage. MLS#635861 $700,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

MURPHY’S CREEK FARM

Wonderful gently rolling parcel of land with just under 26 acres, 18 miles south of Charlottesville. The land is wooded (mostly hardwoods) with an elevated building site, stream/creek, total privacy, and long road frontage. MLS#619394 $229,500 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

SIMMONS GAP/ESTES RIDGE

10 acres of mature woods. Property has long road frontage and consists of two parcels being combined and sold as one. No HOA!

Design and build your dream residence on this very well-priced parcel. MLS#621178 $189,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

Great building lot in Ivy! Over 2.5 acres less than 6 miles to Charlottesville and UVA. Your future dream home could sit on this beautiful, wooded land, the perfect combination of country and city access.

Murray Elementary School District. MLS#634897 $165,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

LYNX FARM LANE

THE Staff:

Celeste Smucker REWeditor@c-ville.com

Theresa McClanahan theresa@c-ville.com Faith Gibson ads@c-ville.com

DESIGNER

Tracy Federico designer@c-ville.com

All advertising published in the REAL ESTATE WEEKLY is believed to be truthful and accurate. No advertising will be published in the Real Estate Weekly if it is known to be inaccurate or untruthful, but this publication does not warrant, nor is it liable for, the accuracy or truthfulness of the advertising placed within this publication. Neither the Real Estate Weekly, Inc., nor its corporate parent, the C-VILLE Weekly, assume any responsibility and shall have no liability whatsoever for errors, including without limitation, typographical errors or omissions in the REAL ESTATE WEEKLY.

The Real Estate Weekly, Inc. reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertising it deems inappropriate or misleading. No advertising will be published in the Real Estate Weekly if it is known to be inaccurate or untruthful. Every effort has been made to assure accuracy, but this publication does not warrant, nor is it liable for the advertising placed within this publication. This publication will not accept advertising that refers to or attempts to establish fees or rates of commissions charged for services rendered.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” Virginia Fair Housing Law also makes it illegal to discriminate because of elderliness (age 55 and over).

We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

SPRING HILL

$2,495,000 | MLS 630710

Beautiful 207+ acre farm in a protected enclave of Madison County with incredible views of both the Blue Ridge and Southwest Mountains. The natural beauty and privacy are unparalleled. An attractive farmhouse with a c. 1804 section is perfect as a weekend getaway or guesthouse leaving numerous incredible building sites for a main residence.

Additional improvements include a large pond with dock, pool, manager’s cottage, a center aisle stable with 8, 12 x 12 stalls and finished office space above, garage and good farm buildings and farm infrastructure An excellent candidate for conservation easement.

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

SOLITE FARM

$910,000 | MLS 630924

129 rolling acres minutes from the Village of Fork Union. The land is a mix of open crop/pasture, and hardwood forest, and is in two tax map parcels. The existing driveway enters the property from West Bottom Road and continues on past the beautiful two acre pond to a perfect elevated home site. The larger of the two parcels also has frontage on Route 15, and has 11 acres zoned commercial. The open land is currently leased as crop land. Great farm property, or solid investment.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

VERULAM FARM

$10,500,000 | MLS 622844

One of Virginia’s preeminent estates, Verulam is nestled on 503 acres in the breathtaking foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, conveniently located just 4 miles from the University of Virginia and modern amenities of Charlottesville. The Classical Revival manor, offers an easy elegance with both formal and informal spaces that flow seamlessly to bucolic grounds, formal Charles Gillette designed gardens and handsome pool complex. Additional amenities include a charming guest house and restored dairy barn turned grand event venue. The farm abuts 1,000+ additional acres of protected land including the Ragged Mountain Reservoir Natural Area.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

ORANGE VA | 540 672 3903 CHARLOTTESVILLE VA | 434 293 3900

HEADQUARTERS

$2,490,000 | MLS 633952

Headquarters, circa 1837, is located west of Charlottesville in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of White Hall's/Browns Cove's most historically significant and best preserved properties married with a tastefully designed 2005 addition.

The 5 bedroom, 4 bath home sits on 50 acres of pasture and mature hardwoods with stunning views of the pond and surrounding mountains. The estate includes a managers house, stable, utility barn, and numerous other dependencies. Incredibly private surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Doyles River frontage. Property can also be purchased with 428 acres for $5,250,000.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

GREYLEDGE

$6,950,000 | MLS 634509

A spectacular 1842 Virginia Landmark situated on a 739acre estate with magnificent views of the Blue Ridge & Allegheny mountains. The original architectural elements: 17-inch thick, Flemish bond laid brick walls, oversized 6 over 6 windows, 13 fireplaces, plaster walls and tongue and groove flooring have been expertly paired with all the modern conveniences. The 9723 sq ft Greek Revival residence has been meticulously renovated to a pristine level rarely seen. The residence sits at 1200 feet overlooking the beautiful 6-acre lake w/ layered mountain views beyond. The level of natural beauty & privacy enjoyed from the residence is unparalleled. 20 min south of Lexington & 30 min to Roanoke airport, 7 min to Town of Buchanan.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

FOSTERS BRANCH

$575,000 | MLS 623681

First time ever on the open market, two exceptional parcels with incredible views over Charlottesville and layered Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. These private parcels, perched on the western slope of the Southwest Mountains, offer complete seclusion yet are only 15 minutes from downtown Charlottesville, its restaurants, amenities and UVA. Perfect as a family compound or build on one and sell the other. Please do not drive on property without an appointment.

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090