NEW JERSEY RETIREES FIND ALL THEY ARE LOOKING FOR
NEW JERSEY RETIREES FIND ALL THEY ARE LOOKING FOR
AT McKEE BUILDERS’ CHAMPIONS’ CLUB IN DELAWARE

New Jersey offers its residents a lot of positives including a great proximity to work, culture, and recreation. But when it comes time to retire, it also offers high taxes. Which is one of the reasons Princeton-area residents Bill and Vickie Hawkins decided to move out-of-state upon retirement.
“We did what everyone else does – we looked at Florida first,” explains Bill. “Once we visited we realized that, while it was close enough by plane to get back and visit our children and grandchildren, it was too expensive, too crowded and too hot.”
So Bill and Vickie decided to expand their search to East Coast states from Georgia north. “We did a lot of research on-line and looked at a lot of communities,” added Bill. “But there was always something we did not like. If we liked the area, we did not like the homes. If we liked the homes, we did not like the size of the community, etc.”
Eventually the Hawkins had worked their way up way up the seacoast to Delaware. “Vickie looked into Delaware and found out that the State had low taxes,” Bill added. In fact, Delaware has extremely low property taxes, no state sales tax, no state tax on social security and reduced taxes on pension and retirement earnings. This is a huge difference from surrounding states.
“Additionally it was close enough to drive to see our family – which is a lot less expensive than flying back from Florida, and yet not too close to the family,” said Bill. “And the people we met here are so warm and friendly. We really felt welcomed.”
The Hawkins launched a full scale search in Delaware and again found that it was difficult to find everything they wanted from the size of the home to the quality of the builder to the size of the community to the open space within and around the community to the location. But then they visited McKee Builders’ Champions’ Club in Magnolia, Delaware and found it all.
The Hawkins loved the location which was close to shopping, within walking distance of a golf club, minutes to Delaware’s beaches and surrounded by open space. They liked that Champions’ Club is located in a gorgeous, quiet area; yet the location offers easy access to just about everything. The community is only 30 minutes from Lewes, Delaware’s beaches, just around the corner from a boat launch, within minutes to fishing areas on the Chesapeake, close to shopping, restaurants, cultural activities, parks and wildlife areas, medical facilities and major Routes 13, 1 and 9.
They also fell in love with the homes offered here. But before they decided to buy, they did some more research. “We talked to several contractors before we purchased and they rated the quality of McKee’s building as very high.” Bill pointed out.
The Hawkins chose the Calloway Grande floorplan, one of the seven single family homes offered at Champions’ Club. The Calloway Grande features one-floor living with an optional loft and basement, two bedrooms with the option of a third, two bathrooms with the option of a third, large kitchen with eating area, spacious family room, living room and dining room, abundant windows, and a two car garage.
One of the advantages of buying a home from McKee Builders is that the home can be customized to meet the homebuyers’ lifestyle. Buyers can add a second story loft with bedrooms and bath or a screened porch, a sunroom, or a full nine foot high poured concrete wall basement that can also be finished.
Bill and Vickie chose to personalize their home with a loft and full basement. “McKee was very accommodating about all of our requests,” Bill pointed out. “They worked with us closely on any changes we made. The house was also delivered right on time.”
This high level of service has continued even after they moved into their beautiful new home. “We had a ferocious storm come through after we moved in and a few of the shingles on the roof flew off, which isn’t unusual under the circumstances,” said Bill. “Within four hours someone was out and the shingles were repaired at no cost. McKee has a customer care program and they are really on top of things.”
The Hawkins like more than the location, the home and the service, however. The tax benefits of Delaware are a decided plus. “In New Jersey it is not unusual to pay $10,000 to $14,000 or more in property taxes a year,” said Bill. “Here we pay less than one-tenth of that. In fact, when I received our first tax bill it was so low I called and asked the tax collector if the bill was for a quarter or for the whole year,” Bill recalled. “She immediately said ‘you must be from New Jersey!’”
Bill & Vickie have only been in their home a short time but have already taken advantage of all that the community and location offers. The new clubhouse is used by the Hawkins almost daily in the summer. “You can stop by almost any day and find me in the pool,” said Bill. The clubhouse also features an outdoor patio area, a great room for events, crafts room, billiards and card room, library, computer area and fitness center. Surrounding the clubhouse are tennis and bocce courts, tot lot for visiting grandchildren and walking trails.
Bill also has joined the men’s breakfast club and Vickie helps keep the economy moving by visiting the local outlet shops with her neighbors. They have also taken advantage of the nearby movie theaters and golf course.
They are also enjoying their neighbors. “The people who live here are fantastic,” Bill adds. “We are all in the same boat as far as our stage in life. We get along great.”
If you are looking for low taxes, a great location, quality homes and outstanding service, perhaps it is time for you too to visit McKee Builders’ Champions’ Club in Delaware. To visit the community, take I-95 South, merge onto DE Rte 1 South via Exit 4A. Follow to Dover (approximately 40 miles). After passing Exit 93 (Dover Air Force Base), continue 3.5 miles to Magnolia Exit on the right, Trap Shooters Road. Left onto Barkers Landing Road, Right on Ponderosa Drive, Left on Plaindealing Road to site on the right at Thomas More Drive. The sales office is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday and Monday from Noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information call 877-698-5602 or visit www.mckeebuilders.com.