Learn the ABCs of Buying a Home at Free Seminar

Spring is often the start of the busiest season for home sales. For first-time buyers, the process can be overwhelming. Lancaster home builder Keystone Custom Homes wants to ease the process with a seminar for anyone looking to buy their first home.

The seminar will be held on Saturday, March 29 in the Heritage Hotel at 500 Centerville Road in Lancaster. The two-hour class kicks off at 10 a.m. and will go through the ABCs of building, buying and financing a home for the first time.

Discussions will cover a wide range of topics related to buying a home including:

• Using a responsible financing plan to purchase a new home in Lancaster
• The importance of saving money and how to do it effectively
• Why credit scores matter
• The big mistakes that first-time buyers commit and how to not fall into the same traps

“Those that attend the seminar will leave knowing that owning has never been easier,” said Keystone Custom Homes Vice President of Marketing Janette Hawkins. “They will be even more excited to start their new home search.”

Attendees will also learn how affordable it is to buy a new home for just $1,825 a month that features walk-in closets, a garage and more.

The seminar is free for all attendees, but reservations are required because space is limited. Keystone Custom Homes will give all attendees a $50 gas card, a free credit report and a copy of Automatic Millionaire by David Bach. Call Jennifer Baxter at 717-464-9060 ext. 129. More information on the seminar is available at www.keystonecustomhome.com. 

New Homes in Woodstock Ready for Families

Cherokee County is quickly becoming one of the most popular places for families to lay down roots near Atlanta and Smith Douglas’ Woodstock Village has new homes available in a great location close to downtown Woodstock.

Woodstock Village is tucked away off of Highway 92 just a few minutes from all of the activity and energy of the city. Atlanta home builder Smith Douglas Communities offers five unique home plans with prices starting at $151,900. All of the homes in Woodstock Village are two stories and feature three or four bedrooms and two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms.

The Kensington plan is a cozy home that includes a one-car garage and a patio. Homebuyers have the option of adding a fireplace to the living room and still having plenty of space for the whole family to spend time downstairs together. A half bath and large kitchen with dining nook round out the first floor. Three bedrooms with walk-in closets upstairs are complemented by two bathrooms and a laundry area.

Homeowners can choose between a slab or a basement with the popular Ellenwood plan. Visitors entering through the front door are greeted with a long foyer that is great for art lovers or those who want to display family photos. Home cooks will love the spacious kitchen with optional island that sits off of the large great room with fireplace. The owner’s suite upstairs boasts a gorgeous bathroom with garden tub and a wide walk-in closet.

The Carrington plan is the largest plan offered for new homes in this fast-selling Woodstock community. Buyers can choose between either 2,137 or 2,478 square feet with new home prices from $184,900. Relax on the front porch or watch the big game with friends in the oversized family room. Host a dinner party in the elegant dining room or sit on the back patio and watch the night sky. The owner’s suite upstairs features a trey ceiling and a very large bathroom with options for a garden tub or a bath and shower combination.

With all that Woodstock offers, it’s no secret why so many families are finding the right new home for them in Cherokee County. Learn about all of the great homes available from Smith Douglas Communities by visiting www.smithdouglas.com.

Final Homes Available Now at Cumming Active Adult Community

The Orchards Group is down to its final eight homes at its Cumming active adult community, The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm. With all of the single-family homes having sold, there are only three ranch condominiums and five master-on-the-main villas remaining.

Each of the ranch condominium homes are priced from $299,000 to $320,000, and these homes include a $10,000 buyer’s incentive that can be used any way you want it. Two of the ranch condos are available now and they feature the popular Ashewood and Charleston floor plans, which include an upstairs bonus room with a third bathroom and an abundance of designer upgrades. The final ranch condominium is the community model home and it will be for sale later this year.

The master-on-the-main townhome villas are priced from $300,000 to $345,000 and they also have an outstanding $15,000 home buyer’s incentive that can be used towards closing costs, upgrades and more. Currently, there are four villa homes under construction that will be available in late spring or early summer, while one villa home is move-in ready now. Featuring the beautiful Dogwood plan, the move-in ready home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and is priced at $315,225. The new homeowner that purchases this home will enjoy a gourmet kitchen complete with granite countertops, a serene screened porch, extensive hardwood flooring, an upstairs loft and a spacious master retreat.

Homeowners will have access to an abundance of amenities at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm both inside and just outside of the community. The grand clubhouse features a large kitchen, gentleman’s den with a library, fitness center and card and game rooms. There is also a swimming pool, fire pit, barbeque grilling area and a community lawn. The community is also just minutes away from GA 400, the Collection at Forsyth, Lake Lanier, multiple golf courses, downtown Roswell, Alpharetta and the new Northside Hospital Forsyth. In addition to the excellent amenities, residents will enjoy a low tax rate as those over the age of 65 do not have to pay the school tax.

For more information on the final homes at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, contact the community sales center by calling 678-513-8879 or visit www.TheOrchardsGroup.com.

River Brooke Features Options to Accommodate All Families

There is no better time to buy a new home, and the River Brooke community in Cherokee County is ideal for families of all sizes. Phase II is now open with ranch and two-story homes priced from the $150,000s under construction by Atlanta home builder Smith Douglas.

River Brooke is a growing community in Canton situated close to I-575 where new families and empty nesters can find the right sized home for the right price. Buyers can select from a wide range of floor plans with three to five bedrooms and two or two-and-a-half bathrooms. With nine floor plans, the perfect one is out there for everyone.

The Pruitt floor plan is a single-floor home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. A patio outside the dining room makes a great place for cookouts in the summer, and the open kitchen with an optional island provides plenty of room for chefs who need a lot of space for cooking large meals.

A second-floor bonus room makes a great playroom for the kids or a fourth bedroom in the Belmont floor plan. The first floor features an open kitchen adjacent to the large family room where everyone can relax together after a day of work and school. The owner’s suite includes a large walk-in closet and a bathroom with a garden tub and shower. The Belmont stretches across up to 1,927 feet depending on the options and is priced at $171,900.

Families that need more space will love the five bedroom and three bathroom Buffington floor plan. It’s spacious at 2,508 square feet, but still feels cozy. The gourmet kitchen includes a breakfast space, and an optional fireplace in the oversized family room will offer some welcome heat in the winter. The owner’s suite upstairs features his and her walk-in closets and a beautiful bathroom that has an option for a dual vanity sinks. The Buffington is priced from $178,900 and has several other options to ensure buyers get exactly the home they want.

Learn more about newCherokee County homes in River Brooke by calling 678-880-8795 or by visiting www.smithdouglas.com. 

Forsyth County Active Adult Community Down to Final Homes

One of metro Atlanta’s top active adult builders, The Orchards Group, has nearly sold out of homes at its Forsyth County community. With just 13 homes remaining, more than 95 percent of the homes have been sold at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm.

The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm is home to three distinct home styles - ranch condominiums, master-on-the-main villas and single-family homes. There are 12 condominiums and villas remaining that are priced from the $290,000s while only one single-family home remains. The final home is priced at $319,000 and has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Construction will be completed on these final homes within the next two to four months, leaving buyers with time to select many of the interior design features for their home. The Orchards Group is also offering a buyer’s incentive of $10,000 to $15,000 on the remaining homes, making now the perfect time to purchase at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm.

In addition to beautiful homes, The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm has outstanding community amenities. Homeowners can enjoy the fantastic clubhouse that is complete with a gourmet teaching kitchen, gentlemen’s den with a library, fitness center and card and game rooms. They can also enjoy a swimming pool, fire pit, community lawn and a barbeque grilling area.

Homeowners at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm will be pleased to learn that taxes are extremely affordable, especially for those owners over the age of 65, who are exempt from the school tax. The Forsyth County location also provides residents with a quick commute to GA 400, Lake Lanier, the Collection at Forsyth, multiple golf courses, downtown Roswell, Alpharetta and the new Northside Hospital at Forsyth.

The Orchards Group has chosen Forsyth County as the home for its next community, The Orchards at Stoney Pointe, due in part to the wonderful response that was seen at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm. For more information on this community, which is scheduled to open in the spring, click here.

For more information on the final active adult homes at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, contact the community sales center by calling 678-513-8879 or visitwww.OrchardsGroup.com.

Rolling Meadows: The Perfect Family Community

Don’t miss out on a home in Rolling Meadows, the newest community by Keystone Custom Homes. The community is full of family-friendly amenities and features that make it a great place to find your new home.

There is no doubt one of the many floor plans available will be perfect for your family. The Belmont floor plan with Traditional elevation includes a porch where children can play while parents chat with neighbors. An open family room is great for parties, and moms who love to cook will enjoy the gourmet kitchen with breakfast space. The Belmont is priced at $166,236 and also includes a two-car garage.

Stretch out in front of the fireplace and stay warm in the cozy Hamilton floor plan with Heritage elevation. Three bedrooms, a study and spacious family room allow the whole family to have plenty of personal space in this home starting at $162,235. Don’t worry about fighting over closet space, because the owner’s suite includes two large walk-in closets.

Four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms in the Windsor floor plan with Heritage elevation are great for larger families. The main floor includes a study, formal dining room and kitchen with an island. A beautiful fireplace anchors the large family room. The owner’s suite upstairs includes a walk-in closet and a bathroom with garden tub, shower and dual vanities. Prices for the Windsor plan start at $183,236.

The Rolling Meadows community includes a swimming pool with clubhouse and tennis courts. The community is just minutes away from great shopping and dining off of Routes 30 and 283.

Contact Barb DiBrito at 717-368-9831, or visit www.keystonecustomhome.com for more information about Lancaster new home builder Keystone Custom Homes.

Run Fast to Woodstock’s Fun and Fast-Selling Cornerstone Estates

Stay active in Cherokee County’s best-selling community, Cornerstone Estates. Located in an area that’s bursting with activity and homes priced from the $160,000s, it’s easy to see why home buyers are flocking to this community built by Woodstock home builder Smith Douglas Communities.  Be sure to act now, because only a few homes remain.

Start your day with a run along paved paths, and challenge friends to a few tennis matches on the community’s courts. Cool off in the pool and hang out in the cabana during the summer. If golf is more your game, courses are only a few minutes away, as are local parks and Lake Allatoona.

In addition to these great amenities, Cornerstone Estates is never far from all that Woodstock has to offer. A 15 minute drive to Olde Rope Mill Park opens up a world of outdoor fun, including bike trails, walking paths, fishing and canoeing. Also, shoppers can spend a full day at the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta, the closest major outlet mall to Atlanta. Brooks Brothers, Kate Spade, Talbots and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5^th are all must-visits in the shopping center.

Of course, homes are the primary reason to pick a community. The ones at Cornerstone Estates include plenty of features to make the buying decision easy. Ranch and two-story floor plans are available and offer two-car garages, beautiful owner’s suites and large kitchens with breakfast areas and islands. Sit out on the patio or deck in the evening, and watch the sun set before relaxing in the big family room.

Smith Douglas Communities prides itself on well-constructed homes. Sub-floors are built to reduce squeaking, shingles have a 25-year warranty and 14” floor joists minimize bouncing. Energy efficient windows, a 50 gallon electric water heater and insulated front and rear doors put an additional emphasis on keeping down power bills.

To see why new homes in Woodstock’s Cornerstone Estates are selling so well, visit the model home at 440 Parkstone Drive Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. Call 770-592-3160 to schedule an appointment, or visit www.smithdouglas.com.