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ARMCO IN THE NEWS

This is an archival copy of the story published in the Florida Times Union on December 02, 2007.

Something for everyone - Clay County attracts broad range of housing options

By The Times-Union

Clay County has fast become one of the area's top destinations for home buyers. With an extraordinary natural setting as a backdrop, high-rated schools, copious neighborhood amenities and lucrative job centers as some of its highlights, Clay County is undoubtedly an attractive residential opportunity.

According to housing statistics from the Clay County Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Division, home values in this area have shown a tremendous increase during the past several years. In 2000, the median sales price for a home in Clay County was $102,700. By 2006, that median sales price figure had nearly doubled to $200,600. Much of this growth has come from some of the area's larger communities like Fleming Island Plantation, Eagle Harbor and OakLeaf Plantation. But extraordinary residences exist or are being built across the county's 601 square miles including homes across the county's municipalities of Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Penney Farms and Keystone Heights.

Prudential Network Realty, which operates a full-service real estate office at Fleming Island, has maintained a presence in the area for many years with some of the area's most experienced real estate professionals. Prudential Network Realty professionals Judy Fields and Kat Wetmore said home buyers interested in a Clay County residential investment are drawn to the area's abundant natural surroundings, convenient lifestyle, community atmosphere and the lure of its educational and corporate offerings. Real estate sales from this Prudential Network Realty office are consistently high due to the buyer momentum that continues to build for residences in Clay County.

"Clay County is a broad, diverse community that affords home buyers an incredible selection of home types and prices," Wetmore said. "From waterfront compounds to new low-maintenance townhomes there is something for everyone in Clay County. I think buyers appreciate the choices they find in this area, as well as the sense of small-town community, the family friendliness, great schools and natural setting that make Clay the complete package."

Clay County has also attracted home builders seeking to give home buyers the additional residential options they desire. Morrison Homes, for one, saw Clay County as an ideal setting for a traditional neighborhood development or TND. This type of residential development, which includes a pedestrian friendly design and a broad mix of housing types in a small town setting, had gained popularity across the country but had not yet been introduced in Clay County. After much planning, the TND community of Kindlewood made its debut in Clay County.

"Kindlewood represents an old way of life made new again where neighbors will become friends and where families will grow closer in a community that has been created just for their lifestyle," said Vice President of sales and marketing Jeb Koury. "We are excited to bring this traditional sense of community to the residents of Clay County and look forward to opening our first model homes this winter."

Upon completion, Kindlewood's model park will feature six model homes, including homes from the Classic, Village and Cottage Homes collections. The first two furnished model homes in the Village Collection will be complete in early December while homes from the Classic and Cottage collections will be complete in early 2008. TNDs such as Kindlewood have a pattern of land planning and development that emulates the towns and suburbs built in the early to mid-20th century. The community will feature broad front porches, rear access garages, large sidewalks for walking or biking and common green areas for leisurely activities, all designed to bring neighbors together and create a sense of community among residents.

Kindlewood will be highlighted by a variety of neo-traditional architecture and an abundance of manicured landscaping. Welcome Home Drive, the main thoroughfare, will offer a welcoming sense of arrival with its beautiful streetscape featuring scenic walking paths and relaxing park benches. The community also will offer extensive amenities including an adult and children's pool, clubhouse, playground, tennis court, ponds, walking trails, volleyball court, pocket parks and a grand lawn.

Morrison Homes is pre-selling single-family home designs priced from the $190,000s in the first phase at Kindlewood. The one- and two-story homes range in size from a three-bedroom, two-bath home with 1,417 square feet of space to a 2,831-square-foot residence featuring four bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

The advent of TNDs and large, mixed-use residential communities are only some of the types of housing options available to buyers seeking a Clay County lifestyle. Armco Builders, which has been constructing homes in the area for more than two decades, is offering buyers the opportunity to purchase townhomes and single-family homes near the area's job and retail centers as well as single-family homes on large home sites in the county's more rural areas.

Armco Builders' is offering 11 unique floorplans at Asbury Plantation, with sizes starting at 2,300 square feet. Asbury Plantation is an exclusive, luxury estate home community in the growing Lake Asbury area of Clay County. Southern living is at its best in this private enclave of large, heavily wooded home sites within walking distance to a community pool and clubhouse. The rolling land surrounding Asbury Plantation is just minutes from Lake Asbury's parks and A-rated schools.

Asbury Plantation is a gated, master-planned community in Lake Asbury that uniquely preserves the wildlife and natural settings that have long defined the area's rich culture and past. It is also one of the few places in Clay County where home buyers can purchase quarter-acre home sites and luxury homes to accompany them. Armco Builders is readying a model home in this unique setting and has unveiled limited opportunities for purchasing some of the area's most luxurious residences.

"I have lived and built homes in Clay County for several decades and I am intimately familiar with the beauty that characterizes Lake Asbury," said L. John Wright, president of Armco Builders. "We are privileged to offer residences in Asbury Plantation, where we expect to build some of our most elegant custom homes."

Armco Builders is building stunning single-family residences priced from the mid-$300,000s at Asbury Plantation, a gated community of 80 homes and copious amenities planned by CDD Ventures Inc. The builder's model home in the community, the Leighton II, is a 3,778-square-foot masterpiece with six bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.

With so many options for living in Clay County, it is no surprise the county has grown so much in recent years. Area Realtors anticipate this interest to continue.