No economic downturn here

The Village at Mott’s Landing, a new 90-home development near the intersection of Sanders and River Roads, is meeting a “pent-up” local demand. “There hasn’t been a new home community developed and designed for retirement age and active adults in Wilmington in five years,” said developer Bob Weinbach, managing partner of Premier Homes and Properties.

That would explain why sales have been remarkably brisk; six in the first two weeks after opening five furnished model homes along “Dream Street.” These models showcase patio, estate, and Florida villa styles, with amenities targeted to retirees such as open floor plans and all-on-one-floor layouts. Sidewalks line the extra-wide streets and most lots adjoin either a common area with a pond or a five-acre wooded preserve.

Pent-up desires have been rolled into the mix. “We listen to what people want,” Weinbach said. “We learn what they want and we produce what they ask for.” This experience comes from having built 3,000 houses in the Wilmington area over the past 20 years, in 25 area developments that include Telfair Forest, Fairfield Park and Ashley Park.

His residents told him they want hardwood floors, granite countertops, and enormous screen porches with outdoor kitchens. They want oversized closets with wood shelving, ceramic showers, garden tubs and powder rooms.

One couple told him they wanted that $700-a-night room at the Ritz Carlton, and he went to work on creating lavish master suites. Another mentioned they were renting a climate-controlled storage unit, and he began including on-site air-conditioned storage in every house.

However, not everyone has been using this unique space for storage. “Some people use it as a workout room and some people use it as an office,” he said. “But it creates flexibility.”

What it really boils down to, he said, “is having appointments in houses that people always wanted and didn’t have while they were raising their families. And features that adapt to their ages, something like the lever handles on the doors instead of doorknobs. A doorknob hurts arthritis tremendously to turn it.”

Another of the many “Retirement Smart” features of the community is yard maintenance included in the HOA monthly fee of $135. “So they can travel and go visit and not have to worry about who’s mowing the lawn. All our communities are lawn maintenance provided.”

Construction will begin in January on a clubhouse, tennis courts, a resort-style pool and a putting green, with completion projected for June. “We will have a wellness section of the clubhouse that will have exercise equipment, and we’re going to have gathering areas so they have plenty to do.”

The community’s central location is about as good as it gets for active adults—an easy drive to shops and restaurants, downtown and the airport. “The conveniences they want are close by and, most important, the hospital is ten minutes away,” he said.

“UNCW is close, and they like continuing ed. They like libraries, they like parks, and of course they like the beach. This particular location was at the very top of my radar screen.”

The five furnished models are representative of 20 different floor plans available, ranging in size from 1,850 to 2,929 square feet, and ranging in price from $334,500 to $449,500. Weinbach wants people to come out and take a look at the array of possibilities without the hassle of registering, getting on a mailing list and taking a slew of follow-up phone calls.

“We don’t allow that,” he said. “We’re fanatic about that. We want you to relax, see, enjoy, and no pressure, no harassment, no sales people to avoid.”

Resale values are holding strong in other Premier communities and the same can be expected at Mott’s Landing, which Weinbach anticipates will sell out in less than two years. “We have not had a downturn,” he said. “We’ve had exceptional years and the last two years we’ve just gone back to normal. We were comfortable building 45 houses a year and when we built 200 houses a year it wasn’t fun. We are happy to go back to normal.”

Visit the Web site at PremierHomesAtMottsLanding.com and take a virtual tour, or call 910-799-6830. Drop by Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.