Building a Home in Georgia – Profitable for Niche Builders
Building a home in some parts of Georgia, particularly in Somerset, Canton and other parts of Cherokee County, has been profitable for niche builders.
These niche builders have been constructing homes for retirees in active adult communities that have amenities for homeowners aged 55 and above.
Steve Romeyn, head of homebuilding firm Windsong Properties, said most retirees who are buying homes in the area are moving back from other states to be nearer their families or older couples who are downsizing because they no longer like to maintain big houses.
Romeyn added that his clients are not financially troubled and that they have sold their homes at good prices. Additionally, he said that there are no short sales and foreclosure sales in the neighborhoods where he builds homes, so housing units continue to increase in price, unlike in other places in Georgia.
The Windsong builder also related that every home he builds has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an outdoor courtyard and a bonus room in the attic. Some have sunrooms and screened porches and all units are made of high-quality building materials. Each home also has the Earthcraft energy-saving certification.
Building a home has also been good for John Wieland, whose current project is the 126-home adult community Cadence at Woodmont. The homes feature main-floor living and private courtyards. Home prices range from $300,000 to $500,000.
Another niche builder is Active Lifestyle Communities, which is continuing the development of the 728-home active adult community at Laurel Canyon. Evan Cramer, head of Active Lifestyle, said that one-story homes in the community are priced from $236,650 through $450,000, with many units featuring basements.
The Laurel Canyon community features a large clubhouse that includes a teaching kitchen, pottery kilns, a lakeside amphitheater, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and membership to the nearby golf course.
Another home builder in Cherokee is Dan O’Dwyer, who is currently selling the Earthcraft-certified homes he has built at Heritage Springs. Home prices start at $219,900, with some houses attached and others detached. O’Dwyer built the homes in a way that their exteriors are maintenance-free.
An exclusive development called Hawk’s Ridge is also targeted at people who do not want the responsibilities of property maintenance. Homes in this project would be smaller than similar developments and would be priced below $1 million. Indeed, building a home with amenities for the financially stable retiree is profitable.
