David Bruce’s vision of a lake home revolved around solitude.
So it was surprising when he and his wife, Liz, bought a vacation home designed by Atlanta architect Keith Summerour in the Reserve at Lake Keowee’s Village Center, a main gathering place close to community amenities.
Bruce, 41, who works in the investments industry, chatted about their second home in the Sunset, S.C., community.
Why the Reserve at Lake Keowee: On a church retreat to North Carolina, they passed by a sign for the Reserve at Lake Keowee. The clean lake reminded the couple, who previously lived in California, of Lake Tahoe. They bought land about eight years ago and planned to build a home, but when the financial crisis hit they decided against building. They learned about a finished, furnished home that became available when a buyer wasn't able to close. They bought it and sold their property in the community.
Their home: A five-bedroom, five-bath home with a one-bedroom, one-bath guest studio over the garage. "The best part of the house is there's a screened porch that runs the length of the house on the backside. It's huge, with an outside fireplace and a dining area that could seat three families out there as well as a sitting area," Bruce said.
What they do when they're there: The location is within walking distance of the pools, tennis courts, golf course, marina, church, market, and other amenities. "My dog thinks the Great Lawn is his yard," Bruce said. On the lake, the kids -- 11-year-old Henry, 9-year-old William and 7-year-old Ellie -- are learning how to water ski and wakeboard and enjoy kayaking.
How far from home: Two to two and a half hours from Buckhead.
How often they're there: At least one full month during the summer and on school holidays, and an estimated six other weekends of the year. "It's close enough where we can go for the night," Bruce said.
Tips for buying a vacation home: Consider the climate. The Bruces wanted to purchase a place that was cooler in June and July than it was in Atlanta, so they had to go a little farther than Georgia lakes.
At a Glance
David and Liz Bruce’s home has five bedrooms, five baths and about 3,580 square feet of livable space plus a 419-square-foot studio above the garage. They purchased it in 2008.
Community overview
The Reserve at Lake Keowee is a lake, mountain and golf community spanning 3,900 acres, with 30 miles of shoreline and 1,400 acres of green space. The community is about 16 miles north of Clemson and about 35 minutes from Greenville. It was established in 2000 by Greenwood Communities and Resorts, and plans call for 1,600 homes at build-out (more than 150 are complete). Amenities include the Village Center, a 200-slip marina, the 20,000-square-foot Orchard House clubhouse, two pools, a meeting house, a croquet lawn and a tennis and fitness center. The community’s par-72, 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course has garnered attention from Travel & Leisure Golf, which has named it one of America’s Top 100 Golf Communities. Home sites (the average is 1.5 acres) range from the $100,000s to more than $900,000; homes range from the high $500,000s to more than $2 million. Owners include 600 families from 30 states and three countries; about 11 percent are full-time residents.
Info
The Reserve at Lake Keowee
www.reserveatlakekeowee.com
Getting there
Take I-85 north to South Carolina Exit 1 (S.C. 11). Continue on S.C. 11 for 40 minutes and turn right onto S.C. 133. The main entrance to the Reserve at Lake Keowee is 2 miles on the right.
For sale
$629,500: 400 S. Point Blvd., Sunset, S.C. 29685. A four-bedroom, four-bath home with a tongue and groove ceiling in the great room and two levels of outdoor entertaining spaces.
$2.29 million: 421 W. Fort George Way, Sunset, S.C. 29685. A five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath waterfront home with reclaimed wood floors, a stone fireplace and a private dock.
Recent sales
$1.35 million: 302 Top Ridge Drive, Sunset, S.C. 29685. A four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home with a mountain view on more than 2.7 acres.
$810,000: 107 Augusta Way, Sunset, S.C. 29685. A four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home with cedar-shake siding with stone accents located near the clubhouse.
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