Help with Home Search in Madison, AL or Huntsville, AL (Woodland: transplants, for sale)

[RelocatorRunner]

Hi, I'm looking to relocate to Madison, AL or Huntsville, AL from Tennessee later this year. The plan is to rent and then buy a house. I think I'd rather live in Madison but I'm not sure. It seems like Madison has the better school system. Is that the general consensus? It also seems it's cheaper to build than to buy right now. Are there any builders you would recommend? I'm looking for homes that have character, good standard features, but which are not grossly overpriced. Here are examples of the look for which I'm aiming.
http://www.newregencyhomes.com/rolli...ows-floorplans

Thanks for your help!

[TN2HSV]

HI there, and welcome

I'm also a Tennessean who moved to the area 3 years ago. I have 3 children at home, and we live in Madison b/c of the schools. There ARE some good HSV city schools, but they are in the midst of some zoning drama right now that has been ongoing & everyone is waiting to see how that all shakes out. With Madison, all the schools are good. Yes, some of the elementary schools may be better than others, but they all feed into great middle & high schools...Liberty/James Clemens on the west side and Discovery/Bob Jones on the east side.

You'll find quite a few builders who have home plans similar to those in your link. The other thing you see a LOT of in the HSV area is craftsman style. It does depend on your price range, of course, and be prepared to pay a premium for Madison. There is tons of new construction in both Madison and various areas of HSV. The look of the homes & neighborhood that would match up closest to those in your link would be McMullen Cove. IT's an absolutely gorgeous area & community on the opposite side of HSV from Madison. Lake Forest (also in HSV, close to Redstone) has a mix of homes & builders and is a beautiful community. But you can find the "style" home you're going for in just about all parts of town. Woodland Homes builds a beautiful house, as does Jeff Benton, and others. We're currently building a new home in the Millstone neighborhood of Madison and have been nothing but pleased (so far) with Jeff Benton. Murphy homes has a pretty neighborhood in Madison called Greenbrier Woods. The exteriors definitely lean more Craftsman, though.

That being said, you CAN find gorgeous nearly-new resale homes, as this area is full of transplants in & out. Having recently sold a house myself, I can tell you that resale homes have a LOT of competition from new construction. So, I think bargains are to be had if you can find a resale home in the area you want, that has the space & features you need.

Here's a link to the Jeff Benton floorplans, to give you an idea. They build all over the area, in a variety of price ranges.
Floor Plans | Madison New Home For Sale | Jeff Benton Homes

[needtosellmyhome]

Originally Posted by TN2HSV

Woodland Homes builds a beautiful house, as does Jeff Benton, and others. We're currently building a new home in the Millstone neighborhood of Madison and have been nothing but pleased (so far) with Jeff Benton. Murphy homes has a pretty neighborhood in Madison called Greenbrier Woods. The exteriors definitely lean more Craftsman, though.

I would also throw in Stoneridge Homes Stoneridge Homes Huntsville, AL | Custom Home Builders Huntsville and Madison County Alabama

They will have a lot to choose from in Madison with Cedar Acres, Stone Brook, Moore's Creek getting started: Our Communities | Stoneridge Homes Huntsville, AL | Custom Home Builders Huntsville and Madison County Alabama

[needtosellmyhome]

Originally Posted by TN2HSV

The look of the homes & neighborhood that would match up closest to those in your link would be McMullen Cove. IT's an absolutely gorgeous area & community on the opposite side of HSV from Madison.

I checked out the OP's link and thought the same thing...they remind of what Celebration Homes is building in McMullen Cove: Celebration Homes The Villages at McMullen Cove | Huntsville, AL - Celebration Homes

[RelocatorRunner]

Thanks to everyone for all of this helpful information!