How to Find a Good Builder
April 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
So you have decided to build your new dream home. How do you find the right builder? Are you just going to leave it to chance? I hope not. You are preparing to make what is possibly the largest purchase you will ever make. As a buyer you owe it to yourself to practice your due diligence and find a builder who is qualified to build your dream home as well as being someone that you can communicate with about your wishes and desires in your home.
In the Atlanta Real Estate market, the most common ways for a buyer to find prospective builders are via the internet, their REALTOR, word of mouth from their family and friends or from the local Home Builders Association. Once the candidates have been identified the buyer and their buyer’s agent should begin the due diligence period by asking questions to determine the best fit. Here is a list of possible questions to ask:
- How long have you been building homes? (You are looking for 3+ years)
- Is your primary source of income derived by homebuilding?
- What insurance coverage’s do you carry? (You are looking for general liability, workman’s comp, and builder’s risk.)
- What is your primary source of information regarding changes in building codes? (You are looking for trade associations such as the home builder’s association or various continuing education classes)
- What is your written warranty on the homes you build and can I have a copy of it to review?
- What is your policy on home inspections? (You must be allowed to use a code certified inspector)
- Will you provide me with references from your homeowners?
- Due to today’s economic time and the state of the real estate market, would you be willing to share your financial information with us?
- Why should we select you to build our home?
While these may not include every question that you may need to ask, it should provide a good start. Even if the home you are looking to purchase is already started and at some stage of completion you should still ask questions of the builder. After all you are interviewing as an employer. You are hiring someone to build your home.
Woodbridge Crossing
March 14, 2008 | 2 Comments
The Providence Group is growing again. Mark your calendar for the 25th of March for the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the covered bridge which is located in the Historic Concord Covered Bridge Area of Smyrna. Special guests Mayor Max Bacon, City Council Representative Pete Wood and Harold Smith of the Smyrna Historical Society will be joining Pete and Warren Jolly of Jolly Development in commemorating the opening of the covered bridge.
Woodbridge Crossing is a gated community of upscale single family courtyard and garden homes priced from the high $300’s to the mid $500’s. The community offers swim facilities, an outdoor seating area with fireplace and a clubhouse with a full kitchen. The HOA provides landscape maintenance for all homeowners leaving more time to enjoy the rich history and entertainment available in the area.
Individual homes feature carriage-style garage doors along with brick, siding and stone on the exteriors. However the interiors design features are what sets these homes apart. Gourmet kitchens with granite counter tops, tile back splashes, custom cabinets and stainless appliances are just the start. The main level of each home includes 8 foot doors, hardwood flooring and detailed trim packages. The large Master Suites feature luxurious bathes with separate garden tubs and walk-in showers.
To view available homes in Woodbridge Crossing click here
Sandy Springs Townhomes and Condos
February 10, 2008 | 1 Comment
Alderwood on Abernathy
Priced from the mid $400’s to the mid $600’s Alderwood on Abernathy is a bargain for a townhome community in the trendy Sandy Springs area of Atlanta. An air of sophisticated spaciousness greets all homeowners and guests as they enter the community. Standard features at Alderwood on Abernathy include site finished hardwood floors, hardwood stairs with iron balusters, upgraded trim packages and gourmet kitchens with granite counter tops and stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances. The oversized master suites provide the owners with an ideal area to unwind in the jetted garden tub and also include his and her vanities, frameless shower doors and granite counter tops. Some of the properties include an optional elevator.
Even though the grounds are landscaped to the max, homeowners enjoy the lawn and exterior maintenance being included with their monthly association dues. Also included are streetlights and sidewalks. Additionally homeowners will soon be enjoying an outdoor gathering area with a covered fireplace, water feature and seating area.
Great Location
Alderwood on Abernathy is conveniently located on Abernathy Road just off GA 400 and only minutes from award winning shopping, dining, and entertainment. Children in the community will attend Spalding Elementary, Ridgeview Middle and Riverwood High schools.
To see current available homes at Alderwood on Abernathy click here.
The Enclave at Milton Park
February 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Convenient Location
Conveniently located just minutes from GA 400 and the North Point shopping area of Alpharetta is the Enclave at Milton Park, a maintenance free luxury townhome community by The Providence Group. Community amenities include a lake, gazebo, sidewalks, streetlights and access to the Alpharetta Big Creek Greenway, which features over six miles of walking and biking trails, for homeowner enjoyment.
Luxury Appointments
Each of these 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes features a detailed trim package, 9-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, Victorian style windows and marble trim around the fireplace. Entertaining is made easier with gourmet kitchens which are appointed with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and separate gas cook tops. The master retreat of each home features a trey ceiling, his and her vanities, large garden tubs and separate tile surround showers.
They Are Going Fast
In just over one year the Enclave at Milton Park has sold more than 50% of the 74 home sites that will be built in this community. One of the first homeowners, Vickie Scaffe, selected the community for it’s abundance of green space and the convenience of being close to everything. She stated that she can ride her bike to the park, church or even to North Point Mall.
To view available homes at The Enclave at Milton Park just Click Here.
Terrasol - New Homes in Gwinnett
January 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The name Terrasol is derived from the Latin terms for "Earth" and "Sun". How fitting for this earth friendly new community in the highly acclaimed Brookwood High School district of Gwinnett County. The community when complete will be comprised of 128 upscale single family homes, a community center, a free-form pool, play area, four ALTA approved tennis courts and an outdoor fire pit. As if that wasn’t enough, in keeping with the earth friendly theme of the community, more than 40% of the land will remain in its natural state and there will be a natural walking trail over a mile and a half long. The wooded home sites in Terrasol will be generous in size and many will border either the Yellow River or the over 30 acres of preserved woodlands.
Great Gwinnett County Schools
Children living in Terrasol are fortunate to be included in some of Gwinnett Counties finest schools. They will attend Gwin Oaks Elementary, Five Forks Middle and Brookwood High schools.
Developed By Vesmont
Terrasol is being developed by Vesmont, LC. In keeping with their commitment to environmentally friendly building practices, Vesmont will construct the amenity area and the community center utilizing EarthCraft building methods and design principles, much as they accomplished with their Oak Grove Preserve community inside the perimeter near Lakeside High School. Vesmont, LC is a real estate investment and development company that specializes in developing residential and mixed use communities for quality builders as well as today’s home buyer who is looking for a community-based lifestyle in an upscale home.
For more information about Terrasol and lot or home availability contact Mack.
Sugarloaf Area Townhomes and Condos
January 25, 2008 | 1 Comment
The Villages at Huntcrest
One of the most popular gated townhome communities in the Sugarloaf area of Gwinnett County is The Villages at Huntcrest by The Providence Group. Floor plans feature three and four bedroom residences with numerous upscale appointments which include a seperate sunroom, formal dining rooms, media rooms, covered decks and two car garages. Standard features include 42 inch maple cabinets, extensive hardwood flooring, granite counter tops with ceramic tile backsplash and stainless steel or black Whirlpool appliances.
Local Amenities
Enjoying the community pool, tennis courts and walking trails is just the beginning of what the area has to offer. The Villages of Huntcrest is located within minutes of shopping at Discover Mills, entertainment and sporting events at The Gwinnett Civic Center and the Arena at Gwinnett along with being in close proximity to many of the areas finest restaurants. The community is also serviced by some of Gwinnett Counties best schools. Children attend Jackson Elementary, Hull Middle and Peachtree Ridge High Schools.
Special Close Out Sale
The Villages at Huntcrest are currently over 80% sold out. Just 37 of these upscale residences remain available. The Providence Group is holding a "Grand Closeout Sale" which offers buyers the opportunity to purchase with no payment of principal and interest for the first six months of ownership. Thats right spend your first six months in your new home getting to know your neighbors and enjoying much of what Gwinnett County has to offer rather than spending on payments.
Jamestown In Alpharetta
January 23, 2008 | 5 Comments
Conveniently located at the intersection of McGinnis Ferry and Union Hill Roads in Alpharetta, The Providence Group is currently building another of their impressive communities. Jamestown, while featuring a prestigious Alpharetta address, is in Forsyth County and takes advantage of the lower real estate taxes there. The community is made up of two neighborhoods - The Parc which offers townhomes priced from the high $200’s to Mid $300’s and The Overlook which features single family homes priced from the low$400’s to the low $500’s. Both neighborhoods feature a variety of elevations including brick, stone and siding.
Spacious Well Appointed Floor Plans
The inviting exterior view of the community continues to the interior of the homes as well. Floor plans in Jamestown reflect the needs and requirements of today’s demanding buyers and include some plans with the master bedroom on the main as well as some that offer basements. The spacious interiors include hardwood floors, granite counter tops, built-in cabinetry, stainless appliances, vaulted ceilings and provide plenty of room for entertaining family and friends.
Jamestown Amenities
Jamestown is a gated community that includes winding sidewalks, streetlights and professional landscaping that give it a true neighborhood feel. Homeowners in Jamestown also get to enjoy the community clubhouse, pool, tennis courts and playgrounds. Coupled with the close proximity to shopping, dining and public entertainment area along with being located in the South Forsyth High School district makes Jamestown a must see for buyer’s looking for Alpharetta new homes.
John Wieland Homes Sale of a Lifetime
January 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Recognized as one of the leading builders in the southeast, John Wieland Homes will be offering buyers in Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh N.C., Charleston S.C., and Nashville, TN. what corporate President Eric Price is calling the value of a lifetime and one-of-a-kind in the home building industry.
Save Up To $100,000!
John Wieland Homes is offering up to $100,000 in savings along with a lifetime structural warranty on every new home whether it is existing inventory or being contracted to be built. So what’s the kicker? Well just like every good retailer all sales, especially one titled "The Sale of a Lifetime", doesn’t last forever. Buyers must take advantage of this sale from January 25th through February 3rd 2008.
About John Wieland Homes
John Wieland Homes was founded by John Wieland in 1970 and currently is building in 60 neighborhoods in the southeast. In 2005 the company won the building industries top award when named "America’s Best Builder". Today they offer a wide variety of floor plans in both single family residences and townhomes ranging in price from the $200,000s to over $1 million.
The Providence Group Celebrates 1000th Closing
January 15, 2008 | 2 Comments
Ending 2007 on a High Note
Rarely do you have the opportunity to celebrate 2 milestones at the same time. This was not the case for Atlanta new home builder The Providence Group. How about celebrating 25 years of building some of Atlanta’s finest homes coupled with closing their 1000th home on December 19th.
Congratulations David and Patty Emerson
Little did the Emerson’s know when they contracted to purchase their new home in Woodbridge Crossing that they would become neighborhood celebrities. The Emerson’s are the proud owners of the 1000th home closed by The Providence Group. They were drawn to the community because of its upscale nature while remaining affordable. The standard features of granite counter tops, hardwood floors, extensive molding packages and stainless appliances along with being conveniently located to schools, shopping and dining seemed to fit the bill for them.
What Does the Future Hold?
Ginny Bryant, Director of Marketing for The Providence Group, stated that they were incredibly pleased with their success in 2007 and The Providence Group continues to defy trends of today’s builders. The Providence Group’s ability to build consistently successful “leading-edge” designs in great locations is the result of careful planning, and a clear sense of vision that surpasses conventional building practices. You can expect exceptional finish levels in every Providence Group home.
Congratulations Providence Group and keep up the good work!
Beautiful Trey Ceiling and Kitchen
December 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Every now and then as I am traveling around showing property to buyers, I come across a feature or two in a home that just makes me go WOW. In this case the buyer went WOW also and I just couldn’t resist taking a couple of pictures in this home. Without a doubt this is one of the most beautiful and intricate trey ceilings I have ever seen in a Master Bedroom. The different levels as well as the indentions for lighting are phenomenal. I think you will have to agree!
The Kitchen in this home also made us go WOW. The stainless appliances include a six burner gas stove with Pot filler and oven, a separate convection oven and a convection microwave all built-in. The countertops are granite and the cherry stain on the cabinetry jumps out and screams elegant. Of course this kitchen also has a true walk-in pantry.
My congratulations to Omshiv Construction, LLC for the attention to detail in this home. As you can well imagine with these highlighted features, the remainder of the home also shows the same quality of craftsmanship. Omshiv builds custom homes all over the greater Atlanta area and utilizes some of the most advanced building techniques in the industry today.
