After three years of research and planning, Sharon and Lloyd Teter's dream has become a reality. Already five homes have been sold at Colonial Estates, West Virginia's first community for active adults, Sharon Teter said.
The Teters purchased a home in a similar community in Florida, but storms, heat, traffic, crime and simply not being able to get there often made the Florida home less than ideal, Sharon Teter explained. The couple liked the idea of the communities, prompting the plan to take shape along Wilson Lane in Elkins.
Homes at Colonial Estates are open to couples of which one spouse is age 55 or older. Five floor plans are available and each home is named after Teters' grandchildren - Jessica, Katherine, Ethan, Sydney and Alexander. All the homes are one level and have from 1,339 to 2,287 square feet. Teter said she had requests for larger homes, so a floor plan with 2,500 square feet will be available for viewing next week.
Teter hopes Colonial Estates will attract baby boomers who are retired or still working. Living will be made easier at Colonial Estates. Local contractor Lloyd Heckel has used raw materials to build the homes from the ground up, Teter explained. Each floor plan, she said, can be customized to fit the needs of the buyer.
Potential buyers told Teter, "We knew it would be nice, but we had no idea it would be this nice," she said.
James and Bobbie Farley of Elkins agreed. The Farleys said the quality of the homes and maintenance-free roads and lawns are a factor in potentially moving to Colonial Estates.
A clubhouse - which is scheduled to open in the spring - and 115 homes will make up the community. The clubhouse will feature a fitness room, a game room with billiards, gathering areas that seat 100 people, televisions, a catering kitchen, meeting rooms, a sales office and two covered porches. Walking trails with 10 wellness stations will surround the community, according to Teter.
Because Colonial Place - located just off Wilson Lane - is also owned by Teter, she said residents of the community will have first option for a bed if needed.
"Colonial Place will be an added feature," Teter, who is also an RN, said.
Both locals and those from out-of-state are interested in the future of living for seniors. Of the 200 to 250 people who attended the open house throughout the weekend, many viewed the homes who are interested in moving to West Virginia.
Davis & Elkins College, the health care system, tourism activities and increasing shopping venues make Elkins an attractive community to retirees, Teter said. The area's stable housing market and scenery, she added, are also drawing people to the area.
A broker will be at Colonial Estates to provide tours of the model homes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Floor plans and additional information are available online at www.colonialestateswv.com.
