Sea breezes, a country atmosphere, views of Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound, and easy access to nearby attractions are among the benefits of a new subdivision in Waterford.

The SeaView Estates at MacKenzie Farm, located on Rope Ferry Road near the town line between Waterford and East Lyme, has lots for 14 custom homes. The 18-acre subdivision includes more than eight acres of open space for the homeowners' enjoyment. A short walk to local beaches, marinas, and restaurants makes this a great location to live and be active. It offers coastal living without the worry of flood insurance but almost all the benefits.

SeaView Estates has a unique alliance of real estate professionals to work with potential buyers. They include a builder and developer who has created six home designs, a Realtor who is ready to work with people to customize their perfect residence, and a lender who can help make a buyer's dream a reality. A team that believes in integrity, honesty, and loyalty. They will work with you to create your dream home.

The trio is enthusiastic about the subdivision's potential. Shirley Mostowy, Assistant Vice President and Residential Lending Development Officer at Eastern Savings Bank, says the group is working together to create an appealing community.

"All three of us have the same goal," she says: to create an elegant community near the coast.

The available home designs fit in with traditional shoreline architecture, but each one has an individual character. The selection allows a range of elegant options while ensuring that the subdivision will be more than just a uniform collection of houses.

Bonnie Yackovetsky, a Realtor with RE/MAX Valley Shore, says the available homes will cater to a variety of buyers. People can upgrade to the home they've always envisioned, or downsize to a home with one floor living.

The homes range in size from the "Bayview" design, a 1,650-square-foot Ranch style house, to the "Seacrest," a 3,200-square-foot cottage style residence. Available features include covered porches, custom granite kitchens, hardwood floors, master suites with his and hers sinks, whirlpool tubs, attached garages, gas log fireplaces, and floor plans that allow first floor living.

Rich Lemieux, a builder with Nova Developers, says he can custom build each home to a customer's preferences. He says he enjoys meeting with people to incorporate their ideas and guide them through the process. You can bring your own plans and ideas, and he will bring them to life.

Lemieux says developers may lose sight of the neighborhood when they purchase an individual subdivision lot, creating a set of homes that do not complement each other. Since the lot and house are sold together at SeaView Estates, buyers can customize their residence while the designs will work well together. He says this not only creates a better sense of community, but also helps the properties retain their value.

The idea for SeaView Estates came about when Lemieux contacted Yackovetsky to look for a summer home in the region. After working together for about a year, she mentioned the location for the land on Rope Ferry Road. He visited the site and thought it would be perfect for a residential development. Both envisioned beautiful homes high up on the hill overlooking Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound.

Lemieux did a similar redevelopment of a former farm in Bristol, incorporating historic elements into the new design. At SeaView Estates, he salvaged the foundation of a former dairy barn to build a beautiful stone wall at the subdivision's entrance. The site's agricultural past has other advantages as well.

"The subdivision has a lot of open space," says Lemieux. "It opens itself up for a lot of possibilities, like walking trails."

SeaView Estates is located in Waterford on the East Lyme line, close to newly updated schools, shopping, and beaches. Since it is close to the town line, it is only a short walk to the beaches, shops, and restaurants of Niantic.

The road into the subdivision will be named SeaView Terrace and maintained as a town road. Each home will be connected to Waterford's utilities, and the modest homeowner's association expense—an estimated $100 a year for each property—will cover maintenance of the open space.

Prices for the homes start at $529,900, and the residences will be constructed as they are ordered. Each property also comes with a five-year home warranty.

Mostowy says she believes buyers are more optimistic about the market and willing to invest in their personal residence.

"The people who buy these homes are looking for elegance. They also have a plan for their future, and what type of home and community in which to raise their family," says Mostowy.

Lemieux says he and Yackovetsky decided to partner with Eastern Savings Bank because of its knowledge about the area and the different types of financing options. Mostowy, who has more than 25 years of experience in the home loan business, adds that people who buy a home in SeaView Estates can use a construction loan for the purchase.

In a construction loan, a buyer only pays interest while the residence is being built. Lemieux says it is usually finished within four or five months.

For more information on SeaView Estates, visit valleyshorerealty.com or call Bonnie Yackovetsky at 860-759-5210. Place your reservation today and choose your lot!