Off the beaten path

The aptly named Woodlake subdivision near Carolina Beach has natural amenities from large naturally wooded home sites to a nature trail that leads to a 12-acre lake.

Woodlake offers a diverse selection of homes built by our select group of builders. They are among the area’s finest craftsmen with years of experience and a proven track record of customer satisfaction.

“I think we have a lot to offer for the money,” said John Galarde of Galarde Construction, one of the builders of the new subdivision in New Hanover County. A five-minute drive from Carolina Beach, the community can be reached from River and Carolina Beach roads.

The 100-acre community is home to 10 families, and several other single-family homes are either under construction or scheduled to begin soon. At completion, Woodlake will have 246 houses, and a clubhouse with a pool.

Home buyers can choose from one-story to 1-1/2 story to two-story models. Prices range from $260,000 to $400,000.

“I think it’s going to be awesome for families,” Galarde said, adding that there are three schools within walking distance.

Homeowners Brad and Keely Taylor have found the ideal home at Woodlake. Their 1-1/2 level four-bedroom home has three baths, a bonus room, and was designed to offer privacy.

The Taylors, who are in their 30s and have been married for 13 years, have two sons, ages 2 and 8. The layout of the house with the living area and three bedrooms on the lower level, allows them to use the two spacious rooms upstairs for a play area for the boys, and as a home office. The upper level has a bedroom and also acts as a suite when family visits.

Keely Taylor said they were able to choose the type of granite countertop they wanted for the kitchen, as well as deciding on the kitchen cabinets. “We had a hard time making a decision because of so many choices,” she said.

Woodlake homes have standard offerings, ranging from ceramic tiles, wood floors and granite kitchen countertops to stainless steel appliances. Exterior colors can be chosen that include brick and stone accents.

Keely Taylor pointed out the bay windows in the kitchen nook and the triple French doors in the adjacent living room in their Oceanic model. “It has lots and lots of light — that’s something else we love about this house,” she said.

The master bedroom has a jetted whirlpool tub and a huge walk-in closet. And, there’s storage everywhere, she added.

Brad Taylor said the location off Carolina Beach Road in New Hanover County fits the family’s lifestyle for shopping convenience and for recreation with two nearby parks. “It’s just so centrally located to whatever we do — we’re beach bums,” he said.

Construction of a clubhouse with an outdoor pool is slated to begin next month. The clubhouse will feature restroom facilities, an exercise room and a meeting area with a kitchen. Outdoor porches will be covered.

Brad Taylor also was impressed by the accessibility of the builder. “The customer service is huge and has been phenomenal with the builder,” he said.

The couple’s one-third acre lot came equipped with landscaping options, including a generous allotment of greenery.

“It’s so quiet — there’s a lot of conservation areas that wraparound the property,” Galarde said. “We’re kind of hidden away, but that’s a good thing.”

Lisa Hadgraft, the selling agent for the subdivision, said one of its strongest features is the secluded site. “They like the fact that Woodlake is tucked away; it’s off the beaten path,” she said.

Another popular feature is the size of the homesites, available as one-fourth, one-third and one-half acre lots, she said.

Woodlake’s amenities include improvements to the lakeside property it borders. Hadgraft said a floating dock has been built for launching canoes and kayaks.

For information, visit the subdivision’s Web site at Woodlakenewhomes.com or contact Lisa Hadgraft at 279-2741.