By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
OCEAN CITY — If you’ve never been to Ocean Reef condominiums, it’s definitely worth a visit.
The complex is a tree-lined enclave on the bay off Tennessee Avenue, behind the Ocean City Municipal Airport and some soccer fields, as well as the Humane Society animal shelter.
The home for sale there, 107 Wahoo Drive, is mid-building but because of the way the complex is designed the back porch provides an incredible sense of privacy.
The view from the porch is light and bright all day as the sun traverses from left to right across the wetlands, making it the perfect gathering place or quiet retreat any time of the day or night.
With three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a wide-open great room and designer kitchen, the home has 1,700 square feet of living space spread over two floors.
Out front, there are assigned parking spaces with plenty of room for guests.
A concrete sidewalk curves around a round stucco column to a wide set of stairs ascending to the upper floors. The professionally landscaped property sports mulched beds with low evergreen shrubs across the front.
The stairs rise inside the column to a wood landing where the front door is located. Inside, an inviting foyer offers a sightline straight through the home to the wetlands behind.
Keep an eye out for the extraordinary variety of birds and other wildlife, from the majestic great blue heron or strikingly beautiful snowy egrets and other brilliantly white wading birds to the glossy ibis at the other end of the spectrum, with a curved bill and feathers touched with iridescent green or violet that look almost black.
Less common are the marsh hawks — more properly known as a northern harrier — that glide and hover over the wetlands as they hunt, and the muskrats that seem more at home in the water than waddling along through the tall grasses.
Just off the foyer are a coat closet and bathroom featuring an Aristokraft vanity with a granite top and a shower with folding glass door.
Off to the side is a junior master suite. It has wall-to-wall carpeting, a kind-size bed, walk-in closet and sliding glass door opening onto a private balcony. The bathroom also has an Aristokraft vanity but offers both a tub and shower with vinyl walls and sliding glass doors.
The second bedroom on this floor also has wall-to-wall carpeting and a closet with double swinging doors. A tall double window provides natural light.
Back in the foyer, a spiral staircase ascends to the loft outside the master bedroom suite. The loft overlooks the great room below and can be used as another living space. It’s currently set up as a workout area but could be an art studio, sewing space or children’s play area. The options are limitless.
The ceiling, which slopes down toward the back of the house, has a skylight making it feel more open and airy.
Off to the side, double bi-fold doors open to reveal a full-size washer and dryer and tankless water heater.
Double swinging doors open onto the master suite with wall-to-wall carpeting. Two skylights in the sloped ceiling enhance the large space, making it feel even bigger. Double windows at both ends of the room add to the effect.
There is a king-size bed and walk-in closet, as well as a smaller closet for towels and such.
The master bathroom has a granite-topped Aristokraft vanity and a shower with vinyl walls and sliding glass doors.
Back downstairs, the great room offers a sweeping view of the wetlands through a sliding glass door that opens onto the rear deck.
“There’s a nice breeze so there’s no bugs. It’s just beautiful and quiet,” resident Chris Curran said. “It has the feel of a condo yet you have privacy. It’s such a great spot.”
“There’s also a great view of the airport. At night the runway lights light up and you can see a plane land,” Taylor Broadley added.
The living room has a lofty vaulted ceiling with a wood-burning fireplace in the corner. A wall-mounted television hangs above.
In the back corner, the dining room has a long wood table beneath a funky lamp and a double window providing a view of the meadow during morning coffee.
Just steps away, the kitchen has abundant white Aristokraft cabinets with gray granite tops. Frigidaire appliances include a dishwasher to the right of a stainless-steel sink, a four-burner range with a microwave above and a refrigerator.
The complex has tennis courts and two swimming pools, as well as a shelter for bicycles. Ocean Reef also offers boat slips and is close to the Tennessee Avenue boat ramp, making Great Egg Harbor Bay and the Atlantic Ocean easily accessible.
The property is listed for $849,000 with Patrick Halliday of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Fox & Roach Realtors. Call (609) 602-3917 or (609) 957-6787, or email patrick.halliday@foxroach.com, for more information or to set up an appointment to see this wonderful home.
