Emerald Bay’s First Spec Home Hits the Market: A Q&A With the Team Behind It

When CandysDirt last checked in with CedarLux Properties in December, Emerald Bay was still in the early innings. Lots were selling, plans were taking shape, and the development’s long-term vision was clear — but there was not yet a finished home to walk through.

Now, that home at 4529 Sapphire Way is underway — and it’s on the market. As Emerald Bay begins to move from concept to construction, we caught up with Realtor Donna Smith of Duggan Realty Advisors LLC, the exclusive listing for Emerald Bay, and Gary Payne, founder of CedarLux Properties, to talk about the lake home and how this first spec offers an on-the-ground look at real square footage, real views, and real livability.

Q: When we last spoke, this home was still on the drawing board. Where do things stand now?

Donna Smith: Emerald Bay’s first spec home is officially on the market. It’s priced at $1.695 million and sits on Lot 15. The home is 3,318 square feet with four bedrooms, a flex room, five bathrooms, a loft, and an oversized second-floor terrace.

One of the things that really sets it apart is that it’s one of the only interior lots that has a water view down the channel.

Gary Payne: And that view is protected. There’s no future development planned at the end of the channel, so what you see from that terrace is what you’ll always have.

Q: The second-floor terrace seems to be a major design driver. What was the thinking there?

Gary: The view is upstairs, so that’s where people are going to gather. The terrace is about 834 square feet and designed as a true indoor-outdoor space — large sliding doors, a sink, beverage fridge, and ice maker already built in.

One thing we caught early was that if you’re entertaining up there, guests shouldn’t have to walk through a bedroom just to find a bathroom. That’s why we added a powder bath on the second floor. Those are the kinds of decisions that come from asking, “What would we want if this were our house?”

Q. So you’ve thought about how this home “lives”?

Gary: It’s not just me — it’s our entire team. Everyone weighs in on how the house should function, how it should live, and where people will actually spend their time.

Donna: That’s one of the things I love about working with Gary and Chelsea. They listen, and then they act on it.

Q: The garage seems to be a talking point. What makes it different?

Gary: It’s about 1,000 square feet with an oversized layout and a dedicated golf cart door. You could literally fit two dually trucks in there and still close the door.

At the lake, storage matters. There’s never enough space for gear, luggage, and everything that comes with lake life. This allows ample storage.

Q: How does this CedarLux spec home fit into the broader approach at Emerald Bay?

Donna: Specs are a way for buyers to experience the quality firsthand. Emerald Bay offers both custom building and spec opportunities, and this home gives people a real reference point.

Gary: There’s no engineering difference between our spec homes and our custom homes. The structure, the standards, the build quality — it’s all the same. The only difference is that in a custom home, the client selects the finishes, and in a spec, we do.

Q: Speaking of finishes, how would you describe the design direction here?

Gary: It’s transitional, modern, and clean. Sheetrock returns, sleek profiles, with smooth, non-textured finishes. Ceiling heights are 10 feet, with vaulted ceilings in key spaces.

We use a combination of man-made quartz and natural quartzite for the perfect blend of durability and luxury, as well as Thermador appliances, bold chandeliers, soft-close drawers, and custom-built steel windows and doors designed to last a lifetime. The front entry features a six-foot-wide, ten-foot-tall pivot door, and all the sliders are multi-slide systems.

Q: What are some of the features buyers might not notice right away, but will appreciate later?

Gary: There’s an automatic water shutoff system that can stop the water supply if a leak is detected. Propane is buried, and we typically recommend leasing the tank so maintenance is handled for you. The home is fully landscaped, fully irrigated — it’s plug-and-play. You show up, put your things inside, and get on the boat.

Q: And how quickly can you “put your things inside” and hop on the boat?

Gary: We’re about 120 days out from handing over the keys — right in time for lake season.

Emerald Bay currently offers 61 homesites, and this first spec home provides a clear snapshot of what buyers can expect as the community continues to take shape. Next time, we’ll talk about Emerald Bay’s community amenities, and Donna says she has a future grand opening event in the works. Stay tuned!