Triad area Builders and Model Homes (Raleigh, Greensboro: low income, HOA, home builders)

[BoundtoRetire]

OK, we're mystified... Although our upcoming visit to your area is mainly to get the lay of the land, a feel for the Triad area, and what it has to offer retirees, we would be interested in knowing who is building moderate cost housing in the Triad area. Also, what developments have model homes offered in the mid-100s up to the mid-200s.

We are primarily interested in a single family single-story home, although we might consider a patio home or something similar. We'd like to be within an easy distance (20-30 minutes max.) to medical care, shopping, and a cultural center. Also, are there any Active 55+ communities in the area in our price range?

We'd sure appreciate your suggestions!

[arbyunc]

I think you'll find there are many, many options given the criteria you describe. The Triad is a great area for retirees (and anyone else for that matter)...lots of cultural offerings (music, art, plays, ethnic festivals, etc.), great restaurants, many parks, and easy access to the mountains and the beaches. There are lots of nice retirement communities from low income assisted living to high end communities catering to the more affluent, and you should be able to find many nice houses in the $100-200K range. Pretty much anywhere in the Triad will be within 20 minutes of excellent medical care, shopping, and cultural activities.

I assume you've contacted a realtor? They would be your best resource for information about various communities, neighborhoods, and specific houses and/or retirement communities. Good luck, and if you have specific questions about anything feel free to ask!

[BoundtoRetire]

ArbyUNC -- Thanks for your suggestion. Actually, since we are not house shopping on this trip, but rather "town" shopping, we did not want to contact a realtor yet. We were just thinking of stopping by a couple of developments and looking at model homes as a way to get a feel for types of homes and quality in our price range.

Problem is I don't know who's building in the Triad area. Once I have some names, I can find their web-sites and figure out where they have model homes on display.

[arbyunc]

I see. Sorry, I'm not too familiar with the local builders since I'm not in the market to buy, but perhaps the local homebuilders' association web site can help you get started: Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem - Building Professionals in the Triad Area of NC This link is for the Winston-Salem assn.; I assume there's one in Greensboro as well if you want to google that.

Also, a quick google turned up this site: New Home Builders in Winston-Salem-Greensboro Triad, NC | Compare Plans, Photos & Pricing of Winston-Salem-Greensboro Triad Builders

I don't know if this site lists all builders, but it seems to have quite a few.

Good luck!

[ljmg47]

We have just retired and moved to the triad one month ago. Our daughter got a job in Raleigh 5 years ago and loves it so we wanted to retire near her but in a quieter area. We spent three summer visits "town shopping" as you put it. It took us over a year to sell our home in RI after we had selected a townhome in the Shamrock Valley development by Concept Builders in Burlington. (Concept Builders Inc. - New Homes Burlington North Carolina is the website, I think). They have three areas - two with single family ones and one with townhomes which is what we were looking for. We have been very pleased with the home and the area too. We are in the country but less than ten minutes from the town center and about 12 minutes from the hospital and larger shopping areas in Burlington. We paid in the 150's for a three bedroom two bath, two car garaged one level townhome which would have cost in the high two hundreds in New England.

[BoundtoRetire]

ArbyUNC, thanks for the links -- that's a big help!

Ljmg47, Your townhome sounds just like what we would hope to find if we decide to go down that road. We hesitate about that though because we have three cats and are concerned that there might be some limitations regarding pets.

However, we just may check out Concept Builders while we're in the area. We're planning to go to church in Elon (UCC) while we're there so we'll be over towards Burlington.

[ljmg47]

I don't think there are pet limitations here except not large dogs. We have a schnauzer and the family across the street has a cat. So far there are five families here (mostly retired or with kids grown up but it is not a 55+ community). There are 12 homes here now with another 15 to be built when most of these are sold.

[jc12345678]

If you know what is good for you do not purchase a Shugart built home!!

[Catrick]

We started our search for our home over three years ago. Heck, maybe longer. The only builder left from that time is Centex. Some went out of business and others seem to have disappeared from this area. I see many new names out there on some new developments. So I would say check into Centex.

[skimbro000]

Not sure where exactly you are looking - but we live at Heritage Hills in Jamestown - a 55+ neighborhood - all single family patio homes. HOA takes care of all maintenance and yard work. Great area, easy access to entire Triad - One new home currently under construction. Great neighbors