The Shells Love Anchors Landing and Plantation Pointe on Lake Hickory, North Carolina

Shells Say: Put Your Money Into Real Estate!

Greg Shell is the prototypical home boy. He was born in Morganton and, but for a brief encounter with college life, has lived in this Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton triangle his whole life.

Now that's not to say that this successful orthodontist hasn't branched off into other parts of the country. In fact, he leaves the area quite often on important missions. Like when he went west skiing one time and met his wife, Anne. Anne was from Palm Desert, California, and he courted her and brought her home to, where else, "The Triangle!" And, he regularly flies his A36 Bonanza (single engine, seats six comfortably) to important places ... like, Tar Hell basketball games (at UNC, his alma mater).

But home is the Hickory area, where the Shells feel alive and Anne says she has grown to love. "Let's face it, I was more of a country club girl, you know, used to upscale, curbs, gutters, flowering plants by the road, this was a whole new world. But it has a wholesomeness that Palm Springs didn't have. And, in the last five years, we've got a wonderful new shopping center, a big discount store, a Kohl's ... and this is all just perfect for families, for our kids. 'When you need something, you can get it in 20 minutes. There are new restaurants, a great hospital... when you need access to something, you can get it in a flash."

That's probably why Reader's Digest called the Hickory area "One Of The 10 Best Places In America To Raise A Family."

And this family was ready-made for Greg. In other words, Anne had three beautiful boys and Greg became an instant father. The marriage took place four years ago, and the family includes Tyler (16), Andrew (13) and Matt (10). The boys love water sports and that led to a love affair with Lake Hickory ... and, of course, Anchors Landing.

"We first purchased a homesite in Anchors Landing because we have a great desire to live on the waterfront," said Greg. "I grew up on the Catawba River, was around water a lot and the boys enjoy the water. Anne and I just decided that waterfront would be the ultimate destination for us."

Since then, the couple has purchased more homesites at Anchors Landing and, also, several lots at a sister development, Plantation Pointe.

Of course, a good part of the reason for purchasing multiple lots was the economy. "My dad said real estate was the way to go," said Anne. "I'm extremely comfortable buying real estate for investment, especially in this (economic) climate, with CDs paying very little and the stock market in such a mess.

"My dad was an auto mechanic and he lives comfortably on a golf course. That's because he put his money in real estate."

It also helps that, at Anchors Landing, the Shells can buy now and build when they're ready.

As Anne was talking, Molly was frolicking around the room, licking feet and trying to play. Oh, yes, Molly is the other member of this handsome family - a three-month-old Jack Russell Terrier.

"I can see why these people from Charlotte want to buy property here on Lake Hickory," said Greg. "It's so close to Charlotte (within an hour) but it has so many things Lake Norman doesn't. Or, maybe Lake Norman has things Lake Hickory doesn't. .. like so much boat traffic, so much vehicle traffic on 1-77 and exorbitant prices."

Matt Lahtela - Director of Sales and Marketing at NClakefront Realty. NClakefront Realty is one of the largest sales and marketing companies focusing on North Carolina Lake Properties, and continues to grow everyday. http://www.nclakefront.com/pages/Active-Rain.cfm