Neighborhood Close Up: Linkhorn Crest, Virginia Beach

 JON AND ANNE Barker scoured the Oceanfront  in search of a new home.

“We looked at all types of new construction from Bay Colony to Shadowlawn,” said Jon , 41.

The couple didn’t realize a new development  near their rental apartment at Salt Meadow Bay and along the path of their evening strolls was where they’d wind up buying.

The Barkers moved into Linkhorn Crest in April  after a year of renting.

“We wanted to stay in that area and had done a lot of property comparisons,”  Jon said.

The all-brick condominiums are tucked off Laskin Road, all within a mile  of the Oceanfront, but are within walking/biking distance to the beach, nearby shopping and dining destinations.

 Linkhorn Crest’s 31 townhome-style condominiums  have three or four bedrooms and 2½ to 3½ baths in eight separate buildings.

Developed and built by Linkhorn Crest LLC, the  community is “a diamond in the rough” according to Stephanie Day , site agent with GSH Real Estate. “This is the only thing left in brick that’s new construction this close to the Oceanfront. Linkhorn Crest is the last hurrah .”

Seven of the homes, which feature hardwood floors, granite countertops, custom molding, Anderson windows, nine foot ceilings, fenced and gated patios, security systems, garage keypads, Jack-and-Jill bathrooms, his-and-hers closets  and remote control fireplaces have already been sold.

Lori deSouza   made Linkhorn Crest her home in April after moving from an apartment in The Virginia House on Atlantic  Avenue.

“I was driving around and decided to stop in and look. That’s when I knew I wanted it,”  deSouza said.

Her two-story Model A home offers just the right amount of living space and storage.

“I love to kayak and bike, and I can store those in my garage. There’s more room and it’s close to everything I like to do. It’s just perfect for me,”  she said.

The flexibility of the builders was another major selling point for the Barkers, who changed their floor plans, enclosed the garage and turned it into a playroom.

“There are a lot of plans to develop the Laskin Road corridor to the beach . We’re excited to live here and see where it goes,”  Jon said.

About Linkhorn Crest
The community is located near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, west of Atlantic Avenue and south of Laskin Road .  The model, open daily from noon to 5 p.m., is at 901 Royal Tern Way.  Call Stephanie Day at (757) 714-6777.

Nearby schools  W. T. Cooke Elementary, Virginia Beach Middle and First Colonial High Schools

Nearby recreation  Virginia Beach Oceanfront and Boardwalk, Beach Garden District Park, Owl’s Creek Golf Center and  Contemporary Art Center of Virginia

Nearby shopping  Oceanfront  and Hilltop shops,  Lynnhaven Mall

Other info  Monthly condo fee is $208.

Models
Model A, a three-bedroom, 2 ½-bath, two-story home with 2,047 square feet and a one-car garage, starts at $375,000.
Model B, a three-bedroom, 2½-bath, three-story home with 2,300 square feet and a one- car garage, starts at $349,500.
Model C, a four-bedroom, 3½-bath, two-story home, with first floor bedroom and bathroom and 2,300 square feet, starts at $379,000.

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net