Newcomer Magazine - Relocation, Lifestyle and Living in Atlanta

April/May 2007

Go Ahead: Take Your First Step
Atlanta's Starter Homes and Neighborhoods
by Avery Thibadeau

Alcovy Falls

Buying a home for the first time is a big step—it signifies a willingness to settle down and a willingness to accept responsibility. It involves a measure of confidence and trust, in your job, perhaps in your spouse and in your future. And whether you’re single and fresh out of school, newly married or with a small, growing family, your level of anxiety is likely to equal your excitement, because you want to find a home that suits your needs, that you can be proud of…and ultimately, that you can afford. As a first-time buyer, you’re looking for a starter home.

But what is a starter home? Does this refer to a smaller house? Does it refer to a less expensive house? Is it really just a euphemism? While price ranges across counties, cities and states are widespread, the number of new, quality developments in Atlanta that market to first-time buyers indicates that starter homes are by no means a kinder term for sub-standard housing. In many cases, it simply means the developers are providing just what first-time buyers need. In other words, these homes are made to fit. According to Steve Palmer, CFO of Bowen Family Homes, “We generally use the term entry-level rather than starter because a buyer is entering into the world of homeownership. We are in this market because we believe that home ownership is the first step on the road to prosperity in America.”

Every individual, couple or family will determine what price-range fits into their budget. “For some, $200,000 is entry-level, while for others it might be $120,000,” adds Palmer, referring to the wide range of prices found in Bowen Family Homes entry-level communities. The Alcovy Falls townhomes (678-376-6251, www.bowenfamilyhomes.com) in Lawrenceville start at just $124,900 and are part of a larger swim and tennis community. These brand-new townhomes come in four different floor plans and range in size from 1,301 to 1,386 square feet. For a growing family, the single-family homes in Alcovy Falls offer a more spacious option and include front and back yard maintenance—a perk for those with busy lives. Prices for the single-family homes start in the $140s. Outside of Lawrenceville, Bowen Family Homes offers entry-level communities in other parts of Gwinnett, Cobb, Forsyth, Fulton and Cherokee counties.

Faircroft

Although buying a home is a major financial investment, especially for first-time buyers, what translates into value can often be quite relative, depending upon the needs and desires of the buyers. Generally speaking, homeowners in Atlanta can enjoy more “bang for their buck” in Atlanta’s outlying areas. “Areas that attract first-time homeowners are most likely driven by the affordability of that community,” says Jeremy York, president of Presidio Homes (770-466-3748, www.presidiohomes.com), which offers communities in Gwinnett, Rockdale and Walton counties. “There are tremendous advantages for first-time homeowners to purchase a brand new home mostly because brand new homes are less expensive to maintain. They are also more energy efficient, safer and have more detailed warranties,” adds York.

For these reasons, among others, many suburban—and formerly rural—metro counties are experiencing rising populations, growing commercial centers and increasing numbers of students in their school systems as new developments crop up. Forsyth is one such county, where residents enjoy easy access to the city along GA-400 as well as easy access to Lake Lanier. McCar Homes’ new development, Faircroft (770-772-4630, www.mccarhomes.com), offers large townhomes ranging in size from 2,182 to 2,222 square feet and either double master suite designs or traditional three-bedroom homes. While residents enjoy interior perks such as upgrade appliance packages and design choices, they also enjoy two-car garages, private lots as well as a community swimming pool and tennis courts—all in homes starting from the low $200s.

City Central

Although many do end up buying further from the city, some intown developments attract first-time homebuyers for the convenience and easy access to city-life. Many of these are being built in revitalized areas. It is increasingly rare to find newly constructed single-family starter homes in intown Atlanta, but there are a number of new condominiums priced for the first-time buyer. Manley Homes is helping to revitalize South Atlanta with its development, City Central (404-762-0288, www.citycentralcondos.com), which will offer 120 two- and three-bedroom homes starting in the $160s. Close to much of the redevelopment in downtown Atlanta, including Pemberton Place—home to the Georgia Aquarium and the NEW World of Coke—City Central is just one of many developments demonstrating that not all first-time buyers have to head for the suburbs.

A more rare find is the new intown master-planned community, Cascades (404-696-6879, www.seecascades.com), which upon completion will offer more than 600 homes to starter-home buyers. The community is developed by Fox & Jacobs, a brand of Centex Homes that focuses entirely on building high-quality, low cost homes. Three different neighborhoods in Cascades will offer different housing options, including townhomes and semi-attached homes.

Cascades

Cascades is priced for first-time buyers, starting in the $140s, but the amenities of the community exceed typical starter-home communities. Residents will enjoy a 2,500 square foot clubhouse, a pool with a children’s water feature, three lighted tennis courts and two lighted basketball courts. Located conveniently close to downtown Atlanta, the gated community will ensure the security and privacy of residents.

With so many options in so many places, it has become delightfully apparent to many young homeowners that, whatever they choose to call it—starter, entry-level or first-time home—Atlanta offers a place, a neighborhood, to suit their needs when the time is right to make the leap into home ownership.