The Views at Lenox Crossing offer a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Atlanta has seen a burst of energy in the townhome market in recent years. With offerings from super-affordable to splendid luxury, townhomes are available in all parts of the metro area, and they come with big benefits, too.

The townhome surge is partly due to the lack of developable land for single-family houses in some of the most sought-after parts of the city. As homeowners became more environmentally conscious, they realized that townhomes are more compact and would, therefore, require less energy to maintain. Builders began expanding the Atlanta townhome options, which occupy a place between a condo and a single-family residence.

The first, and often most important, benefit to townhome living is the reduced maintenance. “Buyers typically want a home they can live in during the week and then lock up for the weekend and not worry about maintenance,” says Ginny Bryant, director of sales and marketing of The Providence Group, which represents numerous townhome properties such as Abberley Towneship, a gated community in Johns Creek. Rather than spending weekends doing yard work, townhome residents can spend their leisure time walking to nearby shopping or dining with friends, because lawn upkeep is generally included in the homeowner’s association dues.

Although a townhome requires less maintenance, that doesn’t mean they skimp in other areas. Townhomes offer a spacious alternative to a condo, and come without the upstairs and downstairs neighbors. “The way apartments are constructed, you can hear neighbors’ conversations, but we understand that homeowners want privacy,” says Alan Beulah, vice president of sales at Beazer Homes. Townhomes are typically separated by a wall with an air gap to minimize sound transmission.

Smaller townhomes can still feel like single-family homes on the inside, given their smart floorplans. Buyers with décor savvy can live large in Beazer’s Cobblestone Creek in Mableton, where townhomes span 1,600 square feet. Beazer’s SmartDesign program allows homeowners to maximize the livable square footage and orient the features of the home in ways that make sense for the way people live today.

That said, some townhomes offer spaces as ample as a large detached home. Buyers of means can purchase 3,800 square-foot units at ultraluxury communities like Brunning & Stang’s Brownstones at Honour in Buckhead.

More space and less maintenance add up to big value, and when it comes to price, the true value of townhomes is easy to note: Townhomes can be much more affordable than single-family homes of similar size and with similar amenities.

“There are some phenomenal buys out there today,” says Leigh Ehrlich Schiff, an agent with Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta. According to a recent Standard & Poors analysis, prices of Atlanta homes today are similar to those in 2001, Schiff says. The benefit of townhomes is that they are typically newer with more attractive locations. “The buyer today wants something that’s completely move-in ready versus something they have to renovate,” Schiff adds.

Many townhome communities have the added value of exterior amenities such as security, swimming pools, gyms and clubhouses. For example, Pulte Homes’ Overlook at Westbury in Vinings is adorned with a pool and cabana. The Views at Lenox Crossing, in Brookhaven, offers owners a dog park where they can exercise their furry family members.

Some townhomes come equipped with modern technology geared toward conservation. Beazer supplies all new homes with components to help save energy, conserve water and improve air quality. Just a few of these include dual-flush, highefficiency toilets; and external vents that allow fresh, filtered air to enter the home in a controlled manner. Every Beazer home comes with an energy monitor and portable device that allows homeowners to track their usage.

Lavish Details

	Cozy family rooms with fireplaces and uncompromising features can be found at Alderwood on Abernathy.

Townhomes might be affordable, but that does not mean they lack luxury and design. Alderwood on Abernathy, a Providence Group community, features four-story homes with spacious kitchens and luxurious spa baths. Homes have cozy sunrooms, and some units even have an elevator. In many cases, homeowners are more than willing to give up a larger single-family home in favor of a luxurious townhome with unique architectural details. “Townhomes live like a home; they're just attached," Bryant says.

Grasmere townhomes, an enclave of luxury townhomes within walking distance of Chastain Park, feature private patios for entertaining and relaxation. The backside of these townhomes face beautiful woodlands, rather than a commercial center or neighbors’ yards. A diverse range of buyers choose townhomes. Some mature buyers are downsizing from a large single-family home, while others are first-time homeowners who want privacy without the shock of too much maintenance. “It’s a great first step for someone coming out of an apartment being able to transition where the mortgage payment won’t be significantly different than rent,” Beulah says.

The Right Spot

Most townhome buyers make their selection based on location, and it’s often a location they could not have bought into in a singlefamily home. Consider Pulte’s Brookwood Heights, nestled in Brookhaven, the crux where Buckhead meets Midtown. Brookwood Heights offers 30 upscale units opening this summer. While these are luxury units, what really makes them attractive is the location. Brookwood is a core link to Atlanta’s most desirable live/work/play areas.

In the heart of Buckhead, Park at East Paces is in proximity to a plethora of intown shopping and dining options. Buyers might also want to ride public transportation. Since Park at East Paces is close to both entertainment and MARTA, residents could literally live there without a car, which is not easy to do in Atlanta.

Given that many buyers are looking for an intown community, those who are willing to spread beyond the city center can find more affordable options. In Mableton, Cobblestone Creek is perfect for cost-conscious buyers seeking a compact yet comfortable space. The Views at Park Avenue, in Smyrna/Vinings, boast a pool with cabana and easy highway access. The Providence Group’s Three Bridges in Suwanee and Jamestown in Alpharetta both are swim and tennis communities.

Buyer Checklist

63 W. Wieuca is a gated enclave of homes in East Chastain Park.

“With new construction, it is very important to find out the financial situation of the builder completing the property,” Schiff says. She also suggests investigating the financial health of the homeowners’ association. Looking into the HOA’s budget, notes from recent board meetings and the reserve fund can inform the decision to purchase—or to seek elsewhere. “You don’t want to move in and get hit months down the road with an assessment, such as a roof replacement, that the association is unable to pay.”

Buyers should also pay attention to monthly HOA fees, the covenants and the restrictions for each community. Look to see if the community’s ownership is condominium or fee simple. With a fee simple home, the owner actually owns the land on which the home sits, which gives the owner more maintenance and responsibilities, but generally a lower monthly association fee. Some townhome communities, however, are structured like condominiums in which the land is jointly owned. In condo townhomes, the association takes care of maintenance, but monthly fees are usually higher.

New Atlantans looking for a home that won’t overwhelm with responsibilities, but will also have them stepping out their doors and into a world of leisure options, need only find the townhome community that is right for them—and there are plenty of fabulous options from which to choose.

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