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F.A.Q. sheet
Please feel free to ask any
additional questions not shown above
What is the Ben Garner Active Adult Community and where is it?
A. Ben Garner Active Adult Community is a residential, 7-acre
community with 14 single-family homes beautifully landscaped
and exclusively designed for those 55 and older who want an
active, carefree, easy lifestyle. The Community is located in
Calvert County, Southern Maryland in Solomons Town Center.
[Solomons, Maryland]
[Regional Map]
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Are there age requirements for Ben Garner residents?
A. Yes. The by-laws of the Ben Garner Community Homeowners’
Association require that all owners are least 55 years of age. No residents
under 19 may live permanently in the community with the
exception of a live-in assistant to a person with
disabilities. Guests under 19 may visit, but are not permitted
to stay for more than 30 days in any consecutive 6 month
period. County rules changed in the summer of 2006 requiring
only one owner/ resident to be over 55.
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Who should I talk to about buying a Ben Garner home?
A. Paul and Sally Celmer are the developers of the Ben Garner
Community under the name of CA Development, LLC. which is located
1/4 mile south of the community. Paul is an Associate Broker
with the Home Towne Real Estate and Sally, also a
realtor at Home Towne Real Estate, will be handling the marketing and sales of
the Ben Garner homes.
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What kinds of
homes are available?
A.
There are a variety of single-family homes available. You can
choose from several style of homes primarily ranging from 1580
to 2600 sq.ft. Basement options can increase the square
footage to over 4000 sq. ft. for those who need that extra
space. All models offer first floor Master Suites and most
models offer two-car, side-loading garages with optional Bonus
Rooms above. (Check here for Models)
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I have heard about ENERGY STAR-qualified new homes. What does
this mean and are your homes “ENERGY STAR” certified?
A. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to
be at least 30% more energy efficient than homes built to the
1993 National Model Energy Code through adherence to strict
energy efficiency standards with cutting edge technology. The
savings derived from these standards are based on heating,
cooling and hot water energy use. These features contribute to
improved home quality and homeowner comfort and to actively
lower energy demand and reduce air pollution.
In Calvert County, Southern Maryland Electric Company (SMECO)
has joined with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
offer energy-efficient home construction in Southern Maryland
by inspecting and certifying each home. ALL Ben Garner
Community homes will be constructed to Energy Star standards
and all appliances and furnaces will be Energy Star
accredited. We look forward to SMECO inspecting and certifying
each new home upon completion. (For more information on this
program you can visit the EPA website,
www.energystar.gov.
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What are the prices of the homes and what does this include?
A. The prices of Ben Garner homes range from $367,500 to
$430,000 plus the lot of your choice. These prices include
“Not-So-Standard” Features such as fireplaces in every home,
hardwood floors in Foyers and many Kitchens, tiled bathrooms
and much much more. The lots range in price according to size
and location from $99,000 to $145,000 for the largest lot.
(Check here for Model price and Lot sizes)
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Are interior and kitchen design services available?
A. Absolutely! Karen Taylor, owner and designer
extraordinaire of Beautiful Kitchens, has been invited by the
Ben Garner Community to assist all new homeowners with kitchen
design and selection of kitchen and bathroom cabinets. And for
interior design, we are especially lucky to have the
assistance of Rebecca Boyles of Traditions of Loveville, to
work with you as you select wall treatments, furniture and
accessories.
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Are
your homes built to “Universal Standards?”
A. The developers of the Ben Garner Community gave a lot of
thought on how to best meet Universal Standards as we wish to
make our homes comfortable for people of all abilities. With
this in mind we selected several home styles with open floor
plans and wide doorways. Beyond these basic requirements we
would like you to tell us your requirements prior to
construction and we will make the appropriate adjustments such
as lowered counters and light switches, bathroom adaptations
and other needs.
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What security do you offer? What about fire protection and
ambulance services?
A. Every Ben Garner home has a GE Pro 500 Security Alarm
System installed by Vintage Security Sytems. This standard
package includes a digital keypad, motion detector, siren and
door contacts at the front and back doors and garage.
Additional motion detectors, window contacts and monitoring
service with immediate access to nearby fire and police
services are also available.
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Are there any
waterfront lots?
A. While the Ben Garner Community is surrounded on three sides
by either the Chesapeake Bay on the west and south and the
Patuxent River on the east, the community does not have water
frontage. There are several Marinas in Solomons, some within a
mile of the Community. (If you have a boat and would like to
check out our low Marina fees in Calvert County, check the
County website,
http://www.ecalvert.com/guide/marinas.htm
for more
information.)
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Is financing
available and what kind?
A. Yes. Qualified buyers can arrange conventional loans
with our assistance through our preferred lender,
1st Mariner
Mortgage. You are invited to meet with their loan officer, Jim
Bliss, at any time. Jim has worked with many of our clients in
the past and has always been prompt, polite, respectful of
your privacy and informed on the best available programs. Of
course if you prefer you may use any other financial
institution of your choice.
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What are the Home Owners Association (HOA) monthly service
fees?
A. Monthly service/HOA fees are $205/month. The Ben Garner
single-family homes are offered under fee-simple ownership
with a Homeowners’ Association. We are very sensitive to the
costs involved in the maintenance and upkeep of your home and
the community and will do everything possible to limit the
fee.
The monthly service fee will be kept to a minimum and covers
the following: Membership in the Homeowners Association;
unlimited use of the indoor year-round resistance pool;
unlimited use in the summer months of the outdoor pool; use of
the Clubhouse for private meetings or parties by reservation;
unlimited use of the clubhouse exercise and fitness center;
beautifully landscaped common areas and ground, lawn
maintenance around your home and snow removal in the winter
months on the two Community roads, Badger’s
Lane and Scholar’s Lane. Snow clearing on driveways will be
available for an additional fee.
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What
are the rules about children visiting?
A. Children and grandchildren are always welcome at the Ben
Garner Community, however, there are “length of stay” rules
that apply and there can be no permanent residents under the
age of 19.
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Are pets permitted at the Ben Garner Community?
A. Yes. Pets are welcome but certain restrictions and
requirements will apply in the common areas.
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Where can
residents do their shopping?
A. A Gourmet Grocery Store, a Pharmacy and a wonderful Bagel
Shop are within walking distance. Restaurants, Dress
Boutiques, Carmen’s Frame Shop and Solomons Museum Store are
within a mile. Solomons is a rural village, however, there are
large shopping malls with the most exclusive stores
approximately 30 miles north towards Annapolis.
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Where can I dock my
boat?
A. There are numerous Marinas within a mile of the Ben Garner
Community. Solomons Harbor is one of the deepest natural
harbors in the world and large ships, both motor and sail, can
often be seen in the harbor.
Click here for a list of marinas.
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Will there be a golf course at the Ben Garner Community?
A. While there will not be a golf course within the community,
there are several courses nearby.
Chesapeake Hills Country Club
is approximately two miles away and across the river there is
the
Cedar Point
Golf Course at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station for active, retired military, or
government employees.
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Are there any medical facilities convenient to the Ben Garner Community?
A. Yes. Calvert County Urgent Care facility is 1/2 mile south
on Solomons Island and
Calvert County Hospital, a 300-bed
regional acute care hospital, is in Prince Frederick about 20
minutes north of Solomons. A variety of out-patient and
continuing care facilities are also located nearby.
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Who are the developers of the Ben Garner Community
A. Paul and Sally Celmer, CA Development, LLC are the
developers of the Ben Garner Active Adult Community. Paul has
worked in real estate for twenty+ years and during that time
has learned the many pitfalls of home construction. Determined
to build homes of superior craftsmanship, Paul selected
Glenn Dixon to work with him and Sally in building a small,
but select, community of quality semi-custom homes for people
over 55. The advantages of being a small company, of course,
include personal and individual attention, customized service
and on-site personal supervision of all contractors.
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