For more than twenty years, I have helped buyers and sellers purchase and sell homes in Ford's Colony. When someone asks whether this community fits the way they want to live, I do not start with a brochure. I start with how the community feels in person.

What Usually Draws People Here

Many buyers are first attracted by the gated setting and the overall presence of the community: the mature trees, the walking trails, and the amenities within the gates. Once we drive through the community and stop at the pools, trails, dining facilities, clubhouse, and golf courses, Ford's Colony often becomes a natural fit.

Buyers from outside the area sometimes tell me they do not want to live behind a gate, or that they are concerned about a community with so many homes. Those are fair questions to raise early. My answer is usually the same: let's drive through it together. After they see the walking trails, the dining and clubhouse facilities, and the golf courses in person, many of those early concerns ease.

How I Compare Ford's Colony, Kingsmill, and Governor's Land

When a client is weighing Ford's Colony against Kingsmill and Governor's Land, I walk through the differences in amenities and membership structure.

Governor's Land offers a lifestyle that is best experienced by taking full advantage of its club amenities, and its membership costs are typically higher. Kingsmill also offers a wide variety of amenities, with several levels of membership packages to choose from. Ford's Colony works more like a one-stop community. A wide range of amenities are included through the homeowners association, while golf and dining memberships through Ford's Colony Country Club are separate, optional decisions. Because membership terms change from time to time, I always recommend confirming current details directly with each club.

Golf: Meet the People Who Know the Courses

Ford's Colony Country Club offers three courses: Blackheath, Marsh Hawk, and Blue Heron. When a buyer plans to play often, I typically introduce them to the golf professional, who can explain each course in plain language. I also connect buyers with the director of membership, who can provide a complete overview of the club's amenities, golf access, and any associated fees.

I always suggest that buyers visit the club facilities and, when possible, play at least one of the courses before making a decision. I schedule those appointments before we prepare an offer, so the buyer knows exactly what they are signing up for.

Fairway, Pond, or Wooded Lot: Preference Comes First

Choosing among a fairway, pond, or wooded lot comes down to personal preference. I ask whether the buyer has lived on a golf course before or whether it is simply something they would like to try, and what their main reason is for wanting a golf course lot. Their answer guides a practical conversation about the advantages and tradeoffs of each setting.

Golf course and pond lots can offer views that a typical wooded lot cannot. However, if privacy is the priority, a wooded lot usually provides a greater sense of privacy than a golf course or pond lot. There is no single right answer, only the right fit for how you want to live each day.

Getting In, Getting Out, and Commuting on I-64

Ford's Colony is a large community, and commute time is one of the questions working buyers raise most often. The community is located close to I-64 for travel east and west. During a tour, I point out the four main access points I recommend for commuting, so buyers understand that they are not limited to a single way in and out.

Trails, Pools, and the Outdoors

After moving in, the amenities my clients use most often are the walking trails and the pools. Many residents also enjoy walking and bicycling throughout the community.

According to the Ford's Colony Homeowners Association, the community includes about 12 miles of paved leisure trails and a nature trail of about 1.3 miles. The association also notes Ford's Colony as a designated bird sanctuary, where herons, eagles, and ospreys can be seen. There are 47 retention ponds throughout the community, 13 of which are maintained by the homeowners association, and residents may enjoy catch-and-release fishing with a Virginia fishing license. For current rules and access, please check with the homeowners association.

Sources: Ford's Colony HOA Fact Sheet 2025 and Ford's Colony Facilities and Amenities.

Buying and Selling in Ford's Colony

For buyers, once Ford's Colony becomes the focus, I shift the conversation to the community itself: the walking and biking trails, the amenities, the variety of home styles, and the overall feel of the neighborhood.

For sellers, I present the marketing plan I use, which includes professional photography, virtual tours through my YouTube channel, a single-property website, social media, print marketing, and access to professional or virtual staging. I never assume I have been hired to sell a home until the seller tells me so.

All showings are scheduled through me. The buyer's agent calls me directly to set an appointment. Once the showing is confirmed, I notify the security gate so that the agent and their clients are expected when they arrive.

The due diligence process is straightforward: a professional home inspection and a careful review of the homeowners association documents. The goal is to confirm that the home meets the buyer's expectations and that the covenants and restrictions are a good fit for how the buyer plans to live. This process is the same whether the home backs up to a fairway, a pond, or a wooded area. For legal or technical questions, I always recommend consulting the appropriate professional.

One Decision I Am Comfortable Sharing

Without naming my clients, I can share one example. A buyer once considered a home that needed a substantial renovation. The property backed up to the golf course. Although golf frontage was not on their original list, it became an important part of our conversation, including how a renovated golf course home might serve them over the long term. They were not ready to move forward until we had that fuller discussion. They went on to complete the renovation and have told me more than once that it was the best decision they could have made.

Every home and every renovation is different. This story reflects how we weighed the setting and the scope of work together, not a promise of any particular outcome.

If You Are Considering Ford's Colony

If you are comparing golf communities in Williamsburg, or Ford's Colony is already on your short list, I would welcome the opportunity to tour it with you.

You can explore current listings on our Ford's Colony Luxury Homes page, request a Ford's Colony home valuation, or call me at (757) 328-0095.

Marshall A. Toney, Associate Broker, REALTOR®
Marshall Toney and Associates, also known on this site as the New Homes in Williamsburg Team
Williamsburg's Trusted Guide for Significant Homes

eXp Realty LLC, VA.broker@exprealty.net, 866-825-7169