Building a Home in Atlanta Metro (Sandy Springs, Alpharetta: for sale, real estate, rent)

[backfist]

Greetings all~

We're considering relocating from Colorado to surrounding Atlanta, but would rather build than buy a home. There's always land for sale so that's not the first concern.

The first concern is the unknown. Has anyone had a home built recently? I'm wondering if fees and such make it too cost prohibitive.

Lastly, we're also considering the right area. High quality schools and diversity are high priorities. Obviously there's little chance at having both, but you get the idea.

Thanks so much.

[nfssph]

are you gonna build before you move? I highly suggestyou rent and look B4 you build. unlessyou know more about the area its highly likely you'll find out you like another area better when done!

there are custom neighborhoods continuoulsy going up, with an inventory of new homes being built or done. the whole matter is where.

I want to build a new home, but the cost of new homes has sky rocketed in the last 5 years in atlanta, I moved bac to be in 'sticker shock'. much better deals in resales but I will build one day!

builders here range in ALL prices from 70$ sq foot on up depending on the area. In 1989 I build a 2000 sq ft homefor 135 in town lake, woodstock which now sells used for 240
that house built today would cost at least, twice that at 140 a square foot

good luck

[backfist]

We definitely will move first; then build. Learned that lesson the hard way.

I think you're right in that the best value is going to be in resale homes. We just need to balance getting the house we want/need and paying a little more for that luxury.

Thanks so much for your post. Good ideas.

[bbuch]

For the better schools I would focus on the North side of town (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody...). If you still want a nice area and more diversity, It would be good to look on the East side near Decatur. There are a lot of old neighborhoods in Decatur where people are buying up homes for the lot and remodeling or rebuilding. There is also a lot of renovation going on closer to midtown Atl. over near Georgia Tech called Atlantic Station. There are many great lots with small houses between 10th and 14th st. in an area known as "home park." Not sure why its called this; probably has to do with a lot of Tech students that rent the homes in that area. Hope thats helpful!!

[dianalee4jc]

I recommend Cobb County, on the northwest side. Particularly west Cobb. The schools are excellent and there is a lot of diversity, and there's still property available in fairly rural areas, while access to shopping and services is very good. Real estate prices are going up there, but not too bad compared to other areas.

I lived in that area until just two years ago, when we bought a house in Cherokee County so my husband would have a shorter drive to work. The northern parts of Cherokee are still very rural and very beautiful (foothills of the north Georgia mountains), and real estate prices are lower than Cobb. Woodstock is getting pretty crowded, so we went further north. Since my husband works in Alpharetta, he can take back roads to work and avoid all of the traffic on the Interstates.

Hope you find what you're looking for! I've lived in the Atlanta area for more than 20 years and I still love it here.