Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005

 

Price, location bring first-time buyers to S. Fulton

More than just real estate buzzwords, "location, location, location," and "price, price, price," are the motivations that caused first-time homebuyers Sikithea Collins and Betty Long to put down roots in Mayfield Homes' Ivy Creek Community in South Fulton County in June and July.

"I realized that I was going to be paying just $200 more for my mortgage than I was spending for apartment rent," said Collins, 23, a recent college graduate who provides physical therapy for handicapped children in the Coweta County school system. "Plus, I'm building equity for myself and not just writing a check to someone else. I didn't need any more motivation than that."

Location didn't hurt. Collins says she has an easy, pleasant drive to her job in Newnan via Stonewall-Tell Road and U.S. Highway 29.

Delta Air Lines customer service agent Betty Long, 46, was looking for a townhome because that's what she thought would fit into her budget. A friend told her about the Ivy Creek community and she soon discovered she could move into the ranch home she had been dreaming about all her life. Mayfield building consultant Gina Gordon and Jefferson Mortgage worked closely with Long to resolve two minor issues on her credit report, and she closed on her new home within a month of the day she first saw it.

"God is good, " Long said. "He opened the door to my home in Ivy Creek and I walked through it. I've lived in Marietta, Decatur, Lithonia, and Clarkston, but I've never felt more at home or more comfortable than I do in this quiet, safe, friendly community."

From her front door, Long has a nine-mile drive to her job at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport via South Fulton Parkway and Interstate 85.

In Ivy Creek and all across South Fulton County, newcomers are finding out what long-time residents have known for years -- that this is a region coming into its own as a residential location with obvious and not-so-obvious advantages over other parts of Metro Atlanta.

Sean Doughtie, the president of Mayfield Homes, the developer of Ivy Creek community, says that one of the most attractive aspects of the South Fulton County is that the relatively undeveloped nature of the region means that there is a wide range of housing choices. In Mayfield's Ivy Creek community, for example, homes start in the low $100,000s while Brian Jordan, Atlanta Braves outfielder turned developer, has announced plans for Le Jardin development in South Fulton County. There, Jordan has said, houses are expected to start in the $400,000s in one neighborhood and $1.2 million in another.

Mayfield alone, Doughtie said, is developing four South Fulton communities with a wide range of prices. These include Mayfield's Ivy Creek (Union City) and Brookwood (College Park) where home prices begin in the low $100,000s; Wilkerson Mill Park (Palmetto) where homes on one-to-four-acre lots start in the high $200,000s, and Ashwood Estates (Fairburn) where homes on one-to-six-acre lots are priced from the mid-$300,000s.

"This is a region of Metro Atlanta where there is the opportunity to do it right -- to provide a reasonable amount of development in the region and still preserve the rural charm." Doughtie said.

South Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards agrees. Quoted in a 10-page article about South Fulton County titled, "Getting It Right" in the July 2005 issue of Georgia Trend magazine, Edwards said, "We haven't developed the top of the iceberg. Of all the developable land in South Fulton County, we've only developed less than 10 percent of it."

"We are experiencing a tremendous era of growth," says John Boothby, the president of the South Fulton County Chamber of Commerce. We have dynamic urban areas and tranquil rural areas. What we are trying to do is strike a balance between the two."

Boothby points out that the South Fulton region is in the unusual and enviable position of having large tracts of undeveloped acreage within the Metropolitan Atlanta region while at the same time having the infrastructure in place -- particularly the transportation system - to support development.

In Mayfield's Ivy Creek, where both Collins and Long chose to buy their first home, house plans feature vaulted ceilings in family room and bedrooms (per plan.) Some plans have fireplaces. Each home has a ceiling fan with a light in the family room, brass door hardware throughout the house. They are pre-wired for cable in the family room and master bedroom. Ivy Creek also offers some four-bedroom plans. Many of the homes have garages.

The kitchens have double bowl stainless steel sink with a sprayer. Oak, maple or white cabinets are available in the kitchen as well as in the bathrooms. Designer laminate counter tops are found in kitchens and baths.

The exterior is maintenance free vinyl siding with aluminum soffit and fascia with shake accents on selected elevations. Some plans have a large patio or deck. All homes feature a 10-year structural warranty.

Founded in 1995 Mayfield Homes is a family-owned company whose owner, Sean Doughtie, is a second-generation builder and developer who began his career by working with his father Chris. The company specializes in family-friendly neighborhoods strategically located to offer easy access to work, excellent school systems, major shopping centers and all types of recreation. Mayfield offers a variety of floor plans that are professionally designed, functional, and affordable. Opportunities for further plan customization are offered in some neighborhoods with amenities including vaulted ceilings, hardwood flooring, whirlpool tubs and brick exteriors.

As part of its mission statement, Mayfield expresses a commitment to each community it builds and strives to be a proactive partner with its customers. It builds walking trails in county parks, takes an active role in local schools by donating items to elementary schools to reward children who strive for academic excellence.

"The gazebo Mayfield built for us at Liberty Point Elementary is enjoyed by students and teachers alike," said Dr. Vanessa Johnson, principal of the school located on High Point Rd. in Union City. "We utilize it for reading and nature study. It's a valuable outside classroom for us."

Mayfield is an active participant in projects such as Giving House 2001 in which proceeds from the sale of a new home went to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

To reach Ivy Creek, take Interstate 285 to South Fulton Parkway approximately 3.5 miles to Stonewall Tell Road. Turn left and travel one-half mile to Koweta Road. Follow Koweta for one mile. Ivy Creek will be on the left.

For additional information on Ivy Creek Community, contact Gina Gordon at 770-774-0108, or visit www.mayfieldhomes.info.