Just minutes away from Interstate 664, Orchard Cove will feature a total of 20 single-family homes upon completion. Residents drive on Apple Street and dead-end into a cul-de-sac or turn left onto Orchard Cove Court, another cul-de-sac in this quaint neighborhood.

Once an empty field tucked back behind an older, established neighborhood, Orchard Cove is being built by Ashdon Builders.

Three homes are available for immediate occupancy, and 14 of the lots are still available.

"Ashdon Builders has priced these homes competitively and could probably be the 'best deal in town' when you look at the standard features, square footage and value added in each individual inventory home," said Ginny Cross with Ashdon Builders.

Site manager Susan Bailey, with Wainwright Real Estate, said the area is developing by leaps and bounds.

"A new development with 600 homes, townhomes and condominiums is going in across Town Point Road," said Bailey, noting that local shopping and dining is also emerging.

Brian and Lisa Wright searched for a new home for seven years before finding their dream home in Orchard Cove.

"We were doing our homework for a while," said Lisa Wright, 44. When they found this small, secluded community they knew they'd finally found the place they'd call home.

"We lived in Portsmouth all our lives; we were both raised there," she said. The couple was anxious to leave their apartment, but it had to be the perfect place. They moved into their ranch home on July 1 and breathed a sigh of relief and satisfaction.

Each of the models - the Cortland, Devonshire, Gala, Jonathan, Jubilee, McIntosh and Rome - are set on large lots, offer HardiPlank siding, crawl foundations, nine-foot ceilings on the first floor, a security system, a gas fireplace and many other features.

A walking trail will surround the entire community, which backs up to wetlands, and a park area with picnic tables and benches will greet homeowners.

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net [1]