SAYREVILLE, N.J. –- Joan Anderson had come to a crossroads in her life. She was four years from retirement, renting an apartment that was too small and offered no homeownership benefits, and facing the reality that her aging mother could no longer live on her own. Her days were often consumed by endless thoughts of finding a solution to those demands, as well as opening a new chapter for her in life.

Needing to stay within commuting distance of her job, Joan spent countless hours with real estate brokers visiting re-sale opportunities in Staten Island, all of which ended in disappointment. Then she got a tip from those who knew her needs best. Her daughter and son-in-law took her to visit Spinnaker Pointe, a new active adult community in nearby Sayreville, and Joan quickly found the home she was looking for.

The new Matzel and Mumford community in Middlesex County features a vibrant country-club atmosphere, lush landscaping and 103 ranch-style homes at pre-construction prices starting in the high-$200,000s.

"My kids were big believers in the community and felt it offered everything I was looking for," said Joan. "I'd have a quick commute to work and there's plenty of room in the homes for my mother and I. Of course, it would also give me a chance to really enjoy myself with all of the recreational amenities and the opportunity to meet and socialize with new people."

As one of the first buyers at Spinnaker Pointe's preview opening, Joan selected a home from floorplans and secured a homesite close to the community's lifestyle and recreation center. She then returned for the model grand opening recently, walking through the professionally decorated models and recreation center for the first time.

"I'm not the kind of person who would normally buy a home without first seeing it," she said. "But I just felt like this was the place for me, and my kids agreed. When I got to actually see the homes and experience how beautiful they were, my confidence soared that I made the right decision. It was very exciting."

Joan selected the popular Atlantis model.

"It's a great layout with open spaces, a large kitchen and breakfast nook, and a spacious living room and dining room," she said. "The two bedrooms and separate baths are perfect for my mother and I. We've already personalized our home by adding a front porch and beautiful bay window in the master bedroom. Now we can't wait to move in."

Spinnaker Pointe's resort-like lifestyle stems from its convenient waterside location and its 4,000 square-foot lifestyle and recreation center -– an unusually large recreational amenity for a community of this size. Included is a billiards room, fireside lounge, business center, kitchenette, card room, multi-purpose room, state-of-the-art fitness center, grand ballroom and covered rear porch overlooking the large, heated, outdoor pool and sun deck.

Situated near the Garden State Parkway, the community is within short proximity to the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, I-287, and Routes 9, 35, 440, 1 and 18. Commuters also have a variety of mass transit options to choose from, including New Jersey Transit service from the South Amboy Station into Penn Station, water ferry service to lower Manhattan, and a nearby park and ride lot.

Spinnaker Pointe offers six distinctive designs with either two bedrooms, two bedrooms plus dens or three bedrooms, up to 3,000 square feet of well-designed living space and two-car garages. Each residence boasts a wide array of luxury features and appointments.

"Buyers will also visit Matzel and Mumford's Design Center to select from a host of decorator options to personalize their homes," notes Richard Selikoff, Matzel and Mumford's Vice President of Marketing and Sales, "including top-of-the-line kitchen appointments, imported ceramic tile, Corian or granite countertops and a variety of different floor coverings."

For more information about Spinnaker Pointe, please call the Sales and Information Center which is open daily at (732)727-2004.

To visit the community from North Jersey/NY, take the N.J. Turnpike to Exit 11 to the Garden State Parkway South to Exit 123. Proceed South on Rt. 9 To Ernston Rd Exit; at traffic light turn left. Proceed approximately 1 mile to Gondek Dr. and turn right. Proceed to Grant Way and turn right;

From South Jersey: Garden State Parkway North to Exit 125 (just beyond Raritan Toll Plaza). At end of ramp turn right and keep right to Rts. 9/35 South. Stay on Rt. 35 South and proceed approximately 2.5 miles to Ernston Rd Exit. At end of ramp turn right on Ernston Rd and proceed 1/4 mile to Gondek Dr. and turn left. Proceed to Grant Way and turn right.

The Matzel & Mumford Organization is a K. Hovnanian Company.