
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997              TAG: 9704170241

SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY GINGER ADAMS, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY 

                                            LENGTH:  117 lines

AT HOME: LINKHORN SHORES, VIRGINIA BEACH IT MAKES A SOLID POINT ABOUT FINE LIVING

Spring in Hampton Roads is especially scenic. Neighborhoods are resplendent with camellias and azaleas in full bloom. Dogwood trees bring life to otherwise humble corners.

Bursts of color springing up at every turn bring out the charm on every street.

Reaching out into the Linkhorn Bay across from Bay Colony is Linkhorn Shores - a secluded neighborhood with immaculate gardens. This time of year, the magnificent homes almost take a back seat to the natural beauty.

Age-old trees tower majestically above lush landscaping, protectively screening the upscale homes from view.

``It's very quiet back here,'' says 22-year resident Harriet Doub. ``With only one road in and out, the only traffic we get is residents and sightseers who want to look at the gardens.''

Doub is also a real estate agent for GSH Realty who focuses most of her efforts on her own neighborhood. Seclusion is the biggest selling point, she says, but there are other common characteristics among buyers in Linkhorn Shores.

``This is an absolutely gorgeous peninsula,'' Doub says. ``Everybody enjoys the water, the gardens and the privacy. And they have to have a little bit of money.''

The first residents to build in Linkhorn Shores came during 1956-57. Homes were modestly comfortable, but as the land was developed, the homes became increasingly upscale as people realized how desirable the property was.

Each house has a waterfront lot, with the deep water remaining navigable regardless of the tides. Lots are at least an acre, and, with the natural contour of the land, many are situated on a point, surrounded on three sides by water.

``It's prettier now than it was when I moved here,'' says Doub.

Property values have grown over the years as the land was developed. Residents have built tastefully designed custom homes and take great pride in their yards.

Each of the roads in Linkhorn Shores leads to a point. One of the points has just been developed into three separate lots after being recently sold. The former owner of the land wanted to keep it pristine so her view from across the bay would be undisturbed by houses.

Homes range from 2,500 to 6,500 square feet. Many of the older dwellings have been renovated almost beyond the original design; most of the 60 homes are fairly recent.

David and Marie Elana Roland's 4,980-square-foot brick home was built in 1990 and features six bedrooms, seven baths and 10-foot ceilings. The rooms are elegantly finished with full moldings and hardwood floors.

In the backyard is a pool and guest house with a full commercial kitchen for entertaining on the expansive brick patio. A rolling lawn leads to the water's edge, where the Rolands have a pier and electric boat lift.

``What I really like is that it is a real neighborhood,'' says Marie Elana about Linkhorn Shores. ``When we moved in (two years ago), all the neighbors greeted us with plates of food. The kids can play in the front yard or the backyard.''

The Rolands have two children - Karris, 6, and Jacob, 3. But as their plans have changed; they have put their French country estate on the market.

Located adjacent to Alanton, Linkhorn Shores piggy-backs on the Alanton Homeowners Association and shares other community amenities.

More than 25 percent of the original owners still live in their homes. ``Why do people like it here? The lots are generous,'' Doub says. ``It is in close proximity to conveniences like the highway, Virginia Beach General Hospital, the Great Neck rec center, shopping and the beach.

``We're 15 minutes to the ocean, 10 minutes to the bay. And the neighbors are friendly, yet have a respect for privacy.''

Recently, Linkhorn Shores has seen an influx of younger people. ``Everyone loves that there are new families moving in,'' Doub says. She lists the families with young children as she points to the homes they have recently bought or put contracts on.

The only reason people seem to move out is to downsize.

Houses on the market in Linkhorn Shores range from $419,000 for a waterfront lot with a small house to $925,000. Recently, a four-bedroom, three-bath on prime property sold for $1,100,000.

The average sale price is $526,250, with an average size of 4,409 square feet.

For luxurious living in a natural, wooded setting, Linkhorn Shores is among the finest neighborhoods in Hampton Roads. The properties seem to have it all - waterfront retreats and welcoming neighbors. Not to mention an abundance of flowers. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/Staff

Marie Elana Roland and her dog Molly by their backyard pool. The

Rolands are selling their house.

Realty agent Harriet Doub and Marie Elana Roland. Doub resides in

Linkhorn Shores and sells there.

AT A GLANCE

VP MAP

About The Neighborhoods Schools: Alanton Elementary, Lynnhaven

Junior High, First Colonial High School and Cape Henry Collegiate

and Friends School, both private.

Shopping: Hilltop Shopping Center, Great Neck and Shore Drive

shopping areas.