As a golf lover and hater, I decided that I better find the best hiding spot for the cool new golf balls I got for Christmas. Living in Golf-World in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina, I found about a million choices. With an abundance of beautiful and challenging golf courses, picking a favorite is nearly impossible. So many golf courses, so little time....that being said, location and play time always ranks high for me. Within a short distance from downtown Wilmington and Pleasure Island beaches I discovered Beau Rivage Resort.

Since I haven?t lived here for twenty years and didn?t have a grandmother who took me along in the cart as Captain Cocktail, I have not had the pleasure to experience this golf course. So I decided to check it out and see if Beau Rivage Resort was a possibility for me and, oh yes, my real estate clients. Having a broker?s license is the perfect excuse to become an avid golfer. After all, aren?t real estate agents always working? And what better place to show off your tricks of the trade than in between drives and putts. Lots of air time on the golf course.

Since I?ve owned golf course property, I knew the first questions a potential buyer would ask: Why live in Beau Rivage? What are the amenities? What are houses selling for? What?s on the market now? Does a membership come with the home or lot? If not, what kind of memberships are available? How much are the green fees if I don?t buy a
membership?

Okay, before I get into the cost of living in Beau Rivage, here?s a little historical info: Beau Rivage Plantation is a residential development with an 18-hole, championship golf course. Initially, the development was slated for over a 1,000 single family homes and townhouse units around the golf course which is a little over 6,700 yards. Today, the
front nine is developed with about 500 lots and these are 95% built-out. A couple years ago a group of lawyers came in and saved the day by buying the remaining undeveloped land situated around the back nine. These guys are holding on until the economy turns around and then they will reevaluate the market. The golf course is not a typical coastal course-it actually has undulating, wooded hills, elevated tee boxes and greens and last, but not least, several of the holes have frontage on the Cape Fear River. Any golf course with an impressive water feature like the Cape Fear River appeals to me and my water-seeking golf balls. On the listing side, this gives sellers a huge edge in the amenity department. Who doesn?t want to see a lazy river in the background as they?re yelling “Four”.....and of course, cruising in your golf cart always makes me feel like I?m on vacation.

Here are the answers you?re all waiting for:

Why Beau Rivage and what are the amenities?
Beau Rivage Plantation is a full service golf resort with thirty-two hotel rooms, banquet facility, mature landscaping, low HOA dues, and reasonable membership fees. If golfing isn?t your thing, there are tennis courts, a full service restaurant, an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool and a large Tiki Bar. Pool and Bar being the operative words
here.

What are houses selling for and what?s available now?
I found six homes listed with an average asking price of about $128.00 per square foot. Compared to the actual sold prices per square foot, sellers only had to reduce their list price by 5% and the average days on the market was just over size six months. Not too habby considering this crazy market.

There have been six home sales from $290,000 to $455,000 and one lot sale. I noticed there?s only been one foreclosure reported in the MLS in the past six months, which tells me this is a relatively stable neighborhood with long term residents. Click here too see current homes for sale in Beau Rivage.  Want to build? Hurry up, there?s only two lots listed in Beau Rivage and they?re around $150,000.

What memberships are available and how much are the green fees?

  • Family Membership- $2400 a year or $200 a month. This is the full tilt boogie plan which includes everyone and everything along with discounts on the hotel rooms, merchandise and pool passes.
  • Couple Membership- $2,040 a year or $170 a month. Ok, you and your spouse with full amenity package and discounts.
  • Single Membership- $1680 a year or $140 a month. Full use for the single member with the added bonus use of the pool for your spouse.
  • Out of Town Membership- $675 a year for full golf, tennis and pool amenities.

And there are Social and Seasonal Pool Memberships available for use of the Driving Range, Tennis courts and the Pool. Green Fees for the public and non-members range from $20 to $39 for nine to eighteen holes - and a free range bucket is included with every 18 hole round.  So, buyers, sellers, golfers, tennis players, swimmers, drinkers, grandma, grandpa and long lost uncle, call me and I?ll introduce you to Charlie, Ellen and Jake Walker, the
owners and operators of the Beau Rivage Plantation Golf Course.