Why Buy New?
Newly Built Homes Offer Flexibility and Comfort
By Justine Lookenott
When you’re moving to a new city, you’re faced with many decisions
about where to live. What neighborhood should you choose? Will you rent or buy? And if you’re buying, do you opt for a previously owned home or one that’s brand new?Benefits of a New Home
If you’re looking to buy a newly constructed house, you’re not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 673,000 new homes were sold in 2019—that’s 12.4 percent more than in 2018. And it’s easy to see why. Buying a newly constructed house, condo or townhome is an appealing prospect. Newly built homes often offer the latest designs, like spacious, eat-in kitchens, large master baths and roomy walk-in closets. And because everything is new, new homes require much less maintenance and remodeling than previously owned homes.
“In a new home, you have the newest finishes, new materials and appliances, so less maintenance is required,” says Amy Kessler, vice president of sales and marketing for Traton Homes.
Addison McClaugherty, account manager with home builder Ashton Woods, added, “While previously owned homes usually come with a one-year warranty that is very limited and only covers minor repairs, new homes come with a full warranty that gives the homebuyer peace of mind in knowing it will be able to last them well into the future.”
Newer homes also come with features that save energy, like better insulated walls and windows, which is good for both your wallet and the environment.
“A new home benefits from the latest energy- efficient technology for energy savings, while older homes have higher energy costs and lack today’s newest features,” says McClaugherty. Buying a new home can also provide a “flexibility for customization,” says Kessler with Traton Homes, “and making the home exactly what you want.”
Eye-Catching New Home Developments
If you’re ready to invest in a new home and avoid hours of repainting rooms and repairing appliances, Atlanta has plenty of attractive options.
Reverie on Cumberland, an Ashton Woods development, is located in Smyrna, one of metro Atlanta’s most popular communities. The city was named one of the Best Cities to Live in Georgia in 2019 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and is close to Vinings, Buckhead and Midtown Atlanta.
The Reverie is an ideal choice for active types and young professionals who want to be close to a host of outdoor activities and entertainment venues. The Chattahoochee River, Truist Park (home of the Atlanta Braves) and the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre are all close by, as are The Home Depot’s corporate headquarters.
The community features a gated entrance, a gym, a swimming pool and a park. The homes, which range from $300,000 to $761,000, boast eight different floor plans to choose from. Home interiors offer such amenities as walk-in pantries, garages with extra storage, spa-inspired master baths, oversized walk-in showers, spa showers with built-in benches, and walk-in closets. Outside, amenities include a covered deck, a covered rooftop terrace and two-car garages.
Also in Smyrna, The Grove at Adams Pond, a Traton Homes community, features greenspaces, a pond and fire pits. It’s a great spot for dog lovers, as it features a gated dog park. For sporty types, it’s also close to Truist Park and the Silver Comet Trail. Homes start at $420,000. Serenade, another Ashton Woods community, is located in Alpharetta, which like Smyrna is an Atlanta suburb with lots of appeal. The city has been named one of the Top 50 Places to Live in the USA by Money magazine, one of the South’s Friendliest Cities by Southern Living, and the No. 1 Place to Relocate in America by Forbes.
Serenade is close to the shops and restaurants at Avalon, a popular live-work-play development, as well as Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, known for drawing top touring acts. The community offers an art-inspired walking trail, as well as a pool, gazebo and cabana. Homes range from $325,000 to $615,000 and boast 12 different floor plans, with such features as open kitchens with oversized islands, spa-like baths, fireplaces and sky decks.
Sandy Springs is a popular young city that’s home to many great parks, restaurants and shopping centers, as well as fun spots like the Young Chefs Academy, a cooking school for children, and Dog City Bakery, which offers holistic dog treats and boutique items for your pet.
It’s also where you’ll find Ashton Woods’ Aria, which boasts an open, earthy feel inspired by late 19th-century English architecture, and features walking paths, greenspaces and a swimming pool. Homes range from $316,000 to $1.1 million and offer 23 different floor plans, with amenities including kitchen islands and walk-in pantries.
In thriving Marietta, Parkside East has over 50 brand new townhomes available for purchase, priced starting at $320,000. With easy access to Kennesaw Mountain, the popular Avenue at West Cobb shopping destination, Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Lockheed Martin, Town Center Mall and Kennesaw State University, the Traton Homes community features beautiful pavilions and a park. It also has in-home amenities that include open living areas, kitchen islands and well-appointed owner’s suites.
Active adults 55 and older are sure to find Traton Homes’ Courtyards at Camden, currently under construction, to be the perfect fit for their lifestyle. The community, located in the Acworth/Kennesaw area northwest of Atlanta, is just minutes from a number of shopping, dining and entertainment options and health care facilities including Henry’s Louisiana Grill and Fish Thyme in Acworth. The development features a pool, a bocce court, walking trails and a community clubhouse. The homes themselves start in the high $300s and offer two-car garages, gourmet kitchen islands, private courtyards and screened or covered porch options.
Metro Atlanta has plenty of options when it comes to comfortable, gorgeous newly built homes. Whatever your preference for activities, amenities and neighborhoods, you’re sure to find something perfect for the needs of you and your family.
