The Ridges Combines Serenity and Security in Country Setting

Summary

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Homeowners in The Ridges enjoy mountaintop vistas, security and the convenience of nearby shopping. The Ridges is a 500-acre gated community off Rabel Mountain Road on Corridor G. Its about 10 miles from Charleston and only four miles from the Southridge Center shopping area. It is a new residential development ground was broken just four years ago, said builder Allen Bell of AB Contracting Inc. Bell also owns Rabel Mountain Development, which owns The Ridges. In 2005, we first started looking at the land. We started developing in 2006, and on April 17, 2007, we dug our first footer, Bell said. The Ridges offers the security of a gated community. It also has a clubhouse for residents, where they can gather to socialize, conduct meetings, watch television or sit and read in front of a large fireplace. There is an outdoor pool, a tennis court with basketball rims and a fitness center. In 2009, a one-acre playground for children was added as well as a fire-pit for evening gatherings. Prices for homes in The Ridges range from $250,000 up to $1.3 million. We wanted to build a gated community that had a lot of amenities, where it was more of an actual community feel. Thats not been done, really, in Kanawha County, Bell said. There will be a total of 247 residences, either single-family homes or duplexes. We do have some duplexes, where theres no outside maintenance. We mow the yard and take care of the landscaping and clean the driveways of snow. Bells company has constructed 78 houses so far, with nine going in and five other foundations to put in as soon as the weather will allow, he said. Lots vary in size. Duplex lots are about a quarter-acre, and some lots go up to 2.5 to 3 acres. Eighty homes have sold, so far, in The Ridges. The way the economy has been, this has been our best area. Because of the location and the amenities, this has stayed very steady, said Bell, who also has housing developments in Teays Valley and Parkersburg. The Ridges opened a new phase last November. Since November, weve sold nine lots, he said. Bell said interest rates are low and building materials are at a very good price, and so if a person is going to build, I dont think theres going to be a better time for a long time, because rates will go up soon. Young professionals to retirees are showing interest in The Ridges. We have a lot of young doctors here. When we started out, it seemed like a fair amount of retired couples wanting the duplex units with the no-maintenance, people moving back to West Virginia from North Carolina and Florida. So Im seeing some older people who are wanting to come back home. Bell said banks are loaning money for people who want to build houses as long as you have reasonably good credit and good income. Houses in The Ridges are custom-built to the owners specifications. We have a list of guidelines that we like to stay by, but pretty much theyre custom-built homes, he said. The Ridges has a true, neighborhood feel, helped along by such amenities as the community building, swimming pool and the fire pit, which draws residents to its inviting warmth and light. Its also a walkable neighborhood. It started early. People met around the pool and became friends. Theyll watch football games together (in the community building) in the fall. Everybody is out talking to each other or walking together. One of the rooms in the community building has a big fireplace and comfortable couches and chairs. Residents have also started a library there. Theyll read a book and then trade it off, Bell said. As a residential builder, Bell said, 2010 looks like it could be a very good year. In the years hes been in the homebuilding business, Bell said his company has constructed more than 1,000 homes. He said customer service is important and is one of the reasons hes been successful. Making sure our customers are happy is our number one goal, and weve managed to do that. For more information about The Ridges, visit www.abcontractingwv.com.

Photos The Ridges is only four miles from the Southridge Centre shopping area. It offers the security of a gated community.

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The Ridges Combines Serenity and Security in Country Setting

Allen B...

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