"Location, location, location" is key at Southern Oaks at Bradley Creek

Location is often a key element in choosing a place to live in Wilmington. Easily accessible from Wrightsville Avenue along Hooker or from College Road, Southern Oaks wins that test. This development also has a Parade of Homes winner. Its Hewlett Creek plan won a silver medal in the 2006 Parade of Homes. The unique 24 homes of this development, which have a starting price of $450,000, also win on a lot of other levels.

Hagood Homes has taken the time to get this development right. The company has hired designer Gay Adair to determine exclusive design offerings for each property: no two houses will have the same plan, no two houses will use the same exterior color, and no two yards will be alike (including different landscaping installation and fencing). Design decisions are handled carefully, by appointment, at the Hagood Design Center, located at Lumina Station. According to Lisa Hadgraft, with the Buddy Blake team at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty (910/790-9747), Hagood is a "hands-on organized builder."

These approachable, smart-wired homes use hearty plank siding, tin roofs, and have covered front and back porches and exposed rafters. Interiors include 10-foot ceilings, 8-foot doorways, and 6-foot windows, and 7-inch base molding. Three-car garages are available with some of the plans. Homeowners' dues are $56 per month to cover the upkeep and care of nearly an acre of green space, including lovely old oaks.

Sue and John Crisp were initially attracted by the location. They moved from a more formal home in Landfall to, as Sue Crisp says, "a house that makes us smile."

The empty-nesters, who live in the Bradley Creek plan, were looking to downsize since their two sons are on their own.

"We wanted to downsize and looked a lot in Landfall. It was a coincidence I was driving through [the area]. I called around to find out what was happening."

The plans, which start at around 2,115 square feet up to 2,800 square feet, are well planned. The Crisps commented on how well the downsizing went, even when losing a couple thousand square feet they had enjoyed in their Landfall home.

The Crisp's Bradley Creek home has an effective home plan. When entering from the covered front porch, a study is immediately to the left and a bedroom is to the right. Walking deeper into the foyer, there is access to the second bedroom, next to the first one, and the family room, next to the study. A master bedroom is accessible from the family room and is next to the second bedroom. The family room gives entry into the kitchen and into a sunny dining room. From the eating area, one may access the covered back porch. There are two full baths and a half-bath on the first floor. The Crisps have a three-car garage, which allows for a fourth bedroom upstairs, along with a recreation room and another bathroom.

The couple's move subtracted about 20 minutes from Dr. Crisp's work commute and he enjoys the quiet location, as well.

The Crisps were part of the construction process and found the husband and wife team of Jim and Troy Kenny, Hagood Homes' owners, very easy to work with.

"We had no problem at all. Jim Kenny is wonderful," Mrs. Crisp says. "We have built several times and had an easy time with Hagood."

"They were very accessible and very agreeable. It was a good experience," Dr. Crisp says.

Mrs. Crisp says Southern Oaks is great. "We love it. We will love it more when our neighbors have moved in."

"Troy [Kenny] continues to want to make things better," Hadgraft says, which is something the Crisps have enjoyed.

"The fencing was a nice treat," Mrs. Crisp says.

With such beautiful homes, it is easy to see how Southern Oaks at Bradley Creek has put a smile on her face.

-Wilmington Star News, May 18, 2002