DEALS ON NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES
Currently in the Amelia Island area (and elsewhere), new home builders with excess inventory are offering some attractive “incentives” to buyers of their completed inventory spec homes, ready for move-in. While during 2005, local Amelia Island area builders were raising prices frequently on new construction homes, some ended up building more homes than the market could absorb as the pace of sales slowed in 2006. Both in the way of price cuts and/or free upgrades, builders are now advertising attractive incentives and lower closing costs for their new homes.
The newest "big three" new home communities in the Amelia Island area are Amelia National Golf & Country Club, Heron Isles, and Amelia Walk. These huge subdivisions are each platted for 749 homes when built out in future years.
Morrison Homes, (www.MorrisonHomes.com) for example, is advertising a “move in for $1” closing deal. Amelia National, the newest Tom Fazio Golf and
Country Club, a gated community with security guard located near the Golf Club at North Hampton along the Amelia Island Concourse (near the new Home Depot and Target shopping center off A1A) has several Morrison (ready-to-move-in) new homes to choose from. Morrison also has some inventory homes available in the Golf Club at North Hampton. There’s also about a dozen David Weekley new inventory homes available in Amelia National (www.DavidWeekleyHomes.com) .
While the Amelia National golf course is open, the clubhouse with restaurant, tavern and fitness center, along with the resort-style swimming pool, four tennis courts, basketball courts, and playground are not completed yet. These resort-style amenities are expected to be completed by summer 2007. Phase I of Amelia National (approximately 150 homes) is nearing completion, with phase 2 lot/home packages now on the market. ICI Homes (www.icihomes.com ) and American Homebuilders (www.americanhomebuilders.net) also offer new homes in Amelia National. All four Amelia National builders have model homes open daily in the golf course community. See also the Amelia National website. ICI Homes sized 2,400 to 3,400 in Phase II start in the range of $464,000 to $587,000. American Homebuilders has three inventory homes available at this writing, from $579,000 to $799,000.
The newest, large development to be coming to market is Amelia Walk, with 749 homes to be built, when complete. Amelia Walk is located along the Amelia Concourse near Amelia National (also to have 749 homes when complete -- so these two large developments are located next door to each other). Woodside Homes is building in the first phase of Amelia Walk, in three neighborhoods. The least expensive homes are in "Champlain at Amelia Walk", starting in the $290K to $410K range, base prices. "Laurel Park at Amelia Walk" will offer new homes starting in the low $400s. "Cherry Creek at Amelia Walk" will offer new homes starting in the $500K range. Amelia Walk amenities will include a community swimming pool and clubhouse, covered pavillion, fitness center, playground, playing fields, and tennis courts.
LOWER-PRICED NEW HOMES NEAR AMELIA ISLAND
Richmond American Homes offers some of the area's lowest priced new homes in the Heron Isles community located off Chester Road (near Home Depot). Heron Isles will have 749 homes when built-out in the future. Richmond American has been offering prospective new home buyers a "Buyer's Advantage" package of nine free upgrades such as crown molding, upgraded landscaping, a washer and dryer, ceiling fans, window coverings and requiring only a $1 deposit. Richmond American Homes (http://www.richmondamerican.com) in Heron Isles start at base prices from around $176,000 to $270,000. (Richmond is also building higher priced homes in Golf Club at North Hampton.)
Lower-priced condos are available in the new Stoney Creek community. Called the "Cottages at Stoney Creek," new construction condos have come to market, with base prices starting from $227K for 1,341 SF, to $252K for a larger condo sized 1,603 SF. Stoney Creek is being developed by Vestcor Communities, Inc., and is located off Arrigo Blvd., near the Super Walmart on A1A in Yulee, Florida. Stoney Creek amenities include a resort-style clubhouse and swimming pool, cabana and summer kitchen.
NEW TOWNHOMES ON AMELIA ISLAND, WALKABLE TO BEACH
For those seeking a less-maintenance lifestyle near the seaside, one of the large, new construction townhome projects is Cape Sound on Sadler Road, located on Amelia Island about a half mile from the beach along sidewalks that lead to Seaside Park. Seaside Park offers wooden dune walkovers, gazebos, and picnic tables). Cape Sound is currently selling townhomes in its third phase, starting around $600K.
Cape Sound, a gated community of 72 residences, offers 3-bedroom townhomes with 2-car garages (rear entry). These new townhomes are sized from around 1,992 square feet (the smaller townhomes are 2-stories and elevator is optional upgrade). The community will consist of 18 building housing four units each. Cape Sound will offer property owners amenities such as a community pool, club house, and fitness center. For more information, visit www.capesoundcondos.com.
Why is the current environment a potentially great time to buy a home in the Jacksonville metro area? See what www.Jaxhomefacts.comhas to say about local housing environment here in northeast Florida. See also article "Baby Boom Tsunami To Propel Coastal Real Estate?" and Amelia Island Real Estate Sales Activity in real estate section of Amelia Island Living eMagazine.
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