Betty Smith - Article
Triad New Home Guide - Spring 2022
Betty Smith On Grandover Resort and Greensboro
Triad New Home Guide caught up with Betty Smith to talk about the changes occurring at Grandover Resort and Greensboro's resurgence.
TNHG: You have seen the new home market in Greensboro evolve and you were instrumental in the development and marketing of major new home communities including Adams Farm and Lake Jeanette. Today, as in the past, your company focuses on matching new home buyers to custom builders and custom-built homes. What is your definition of a great neighborhood?
Betty Smith: A great neighborhood is one that focuses on "how" the end-user will live. Its focus should be about the psychographics of the homeowners. This allows for multiple price ranges and multiple lifestyles. Amenities that bring the homeowners together is a key part of any neighborhood.
Having strong HOA guidelines insures the integrity of the homes and grounds are maintained. This keeps the neighborhood relevant and fresh years after it is developed.
TNHG: Greensboro has a new Tanger Performing Arts Center, a downtown ballpark with a Minor League team, and has great dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities. It also will soon be the closest city to the recently announced Toyota Battery plant and will be home to BOOM Supersonic. How have you seen Greensboro evolve as a place to live and what do you see for the City’s future as a place people will want to call "home"?
Betty Smith: Greensboro continues to evolve into a City that wants to give its residents more outdoor opportunities and places for families to gather. In recent years, Greensboro has focused on our student population and young professionals; trying to target entertainment and gathering places for them.
As we move forward with what should be a big growth spurt for Greensboro, we have to think BIG and out-of-the-box. I think the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Greensboro Country Park, and the Greensboro Science Center have set the stage to see where and when we can combine resources and make the destination "bigger" with more experiences for everyone. We have to continue to think in this way.
Jeff, Betty and Jason Smith (L to r) lead the Allen Tate / Smith Marketing team.
Let's Talk About Grandover:
Grandover Resort Background: The late visonary, Joe Koury, developed Grandover Resort after acquiring 1,500 acres of land over his 30-year career. Today, neighborhoods surround 36 holes of championship golf with a AAA Four Diamond Award Hotel, Conference Center, fine dining, and a swim and tennis club.
TNHG: What have you found to be some of the most appealing aspects of Grandover Resort for families building or buying a new home there?
Betty Smith: Grandover is the most well groomed neighborhood in the Triad. The rolling hills of the golf course, the heavily wooded areas, and the mixture of outstanding architecture of the beautiful homes is a great start, but add the world-class resort and it is like you are somewhere else; like being on vacation. It is truly a place to live, work, and play!
TNHG: Which neighborhoods within Grandover have available building lots today?
Betty Smith: There are homesites throughout Grandover ... large homesites on and off the golf course.
Smaller cluster type homesites in Griffin’s Gate and our newest community, Montrose Village, have a variety of product with cottages, pairs (two homes joined by a common wall) and single-family cluster homes.
TNHG: What is the current and near-term availability of move-in ready single-family homes at Grandover Resort?
Betty Smith: We are working on getting more speculative homes under construction on our larger homesites and in Griffin’s Gate we have one home under construction for sale. Montrose Village has 11 speculative homes under construction and should be ready in the summer.
TNHG: What is the availability of new construction townhomes or low-maintenance homes in Grandover?
Betty Smith: At the present time it is limited, but Montrose Village offers homes with yard maintenance included which is really popular.
TNHG: What price range are the lots and completed new homes in Grandover Resort?
Betty Smith: Homesite prices are based upon size and whether they are on or off the golf course. Completed homes in Montrose Village will be Cottages in the low $300,000s; Pairs will be in the high $400,000s and the single family clusters will be in the high $500,000s. Griffin’s Gate prices range from the high $500,000s to mid $800,000s. The larger homesite homes will range from $700,000s to several Million.
TNHG: The pandemic has changed everyone’s focus and "home" is more important now than ever. How does the lifestyle that Grandover offers address those changing tastes?
Betty Smith: Grandover is a social neighborhood with lots of outdoor activities (golf, walking, pool, tennis, gardening, and of course great dining, spa, and firepit at the Resort). Grandover has an activities director who keeps residents engaged in a multitude of activities. Residents just have to plug into all that is offered.
TNHG: Can any builder build in Grandover or must they be an approved builder?
Betty Smith: The builder must be approved.
TNHG: In terms of shear natural beauty, Grandover Resort is among the prettiest neighborhoods in Greensboro. Beyond that, there have been a lot of great changes in that area including the City’s first Publix and proximity to quaint downtown Jamestown. How do you see the greater Grandover area evolving over the next few years?
Betty Smith: Richard Vanore, President of Koury Corporation has a vision for Grandover and it is exciting to see him start the process of bringing new communities within Grandover. Stay tuned there will be exciting news.