Final Single-Family Home Remains at Cumming Active Adult Community

The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, an active adult community in Cumming, has only one single-family home remaining. Of the 58 single-family homes, 57 have been sold and closed, leaving active adult buyers just one final opportunity to call The Gallery neighborhood of this stunning community home.

The available home features the Magnolia plan, a three bedroom and three bathroom home. Priced at $319,000, it also includes a $15,000 buyer’s bonus that can be used for additional upgrades, closing costs or a discount on the total price. The first floor of this beautiful home showcases the master suite, a secondary bedroom and bathroom and a large screened porch. Upstairs, there is a third bedroom and bathroom, as well as a spacious bonus room. The new homeowners will enjoy luxurious touches that can be found throughout, including espresso cabinetry in the bathrooms, Sienna maple cabinets in the kitchen, upgraded tile, paint and extensive hardwoods throughout the main level.

Residents at every Orchards Group community have the pleasure of enjoying a low-maintenance lifestyle, as regular landscaping is taken care of by the homeowner’s association. This includes weekly cuttings, mulch replacement, chemical treatments and an irrigation system.

Thanks to the low-maintenance living that can be found at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, residents will have plenty of time to enjoy the outstanding community amenities. They include a grand clubhouse complete with a gourmet kitchen, gentleman’s den with a fireplace, card and game rooms and a fitness center. In addition, the outdoor amenities feature a sparkling swimming pool, community lawn, barbeque grilling area and a fire pit.

In addition to the remaining single-family home, there are 12 maintenance-free ranch condominium and master-on-the-main villas that are priced from the $270,000s at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm. For more information on these final active adult homes, contact The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm sales center by calling 678-513-8879 or visit www.OrchardsGroup.com.

Sales Totals Reach New High at North Atlanta Active Adult Communities

The Orchards Group, a premier active adult builder in North Atlanta, has seen a dramatic increase in sales throughout each month of 2013. Both of its active adult communities have seen a high annual rate of home sales, with 36 at The Orchards of East Cherokee and 54 at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm. These numbers, which are close to pre-recession sales numbers that were reported by many of Atlanta’s top-selling communities, are further proof that the Atlanta real estate market is on the mend.

“We are very proud to be consistently ranked as one of Atlanta’s strongest builders solely dedicated to the active adult target audience,” said Mitch Block, sales and marketing director for The Orchards Group. “The Orchards Group has typically marketed just two properties at a time, enabling us to keep our subcontractor base consistent, our workload manageable and everyone geared towards delivering an exceptional product with an extraordinary value.”

At The Orchards of East Cherokee, located in Hickory Flat, monthly sales have averaged three homes sold while The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, located in Cumming, has seen monthly sales through October reach an average of 4.7 new homes sold. 

Every community from The Orchards Group provides its homeowners with an unmatched active adult, maintenance-free lifestyle. Regular landscaping is taken care of for the residents, which includes mulch replacement, weekly cutting, chemical treatments and irrigation.

With the maintenance-free lifestyle that is offered at both of The Orchards Group communities, homeowners have more time to enjoy the community amenities. At each community, residents can enjoy spending time together in the grand clubhouse, which has a fitness center, gourmet kitchen and card and game rooms. In addition, they can head outside for fun in the sun at the swimming pool and barbeque grilling area. At The Orchards of East Cherokee, residents will also be able to relax poolside on the waterfall sitting plaza. And, at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, residents can gather on the community lawn or in the great gentlemen’s den with a fireplace that can be found in the clubhouse.

For more information on the new active adult homes from The Orchards Group, visit www.OrchardsGroup.com, or contact the community sales centers. The Orchards of East Cherokee can be reached at 770-345-5409 and The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm can be reached at 678-513-8879.

Enjoy a Winter Wonderland Near Woodstock New Homes This December

The city sidewalks of Woodstock are decked out in holiday style just in time for an array of special holiday events this December. Here's a look at what you and your family can enjoy near your Woodstock new home this month:

• Christmas on Main: The spirit of Christmas is in the air on Main Street for this special holiday Friday Night Live on Friday, December 6. Shop for the perfect holiday gift, enjoy a meal with family and friends and catch a glimpse of Santa!
• Christmas Jubilee Parade of Lights: The parade will be held on Saturday, December 7 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade will start at the old Wal-Mart/Furniture for Less store on Highway 92 and travel north on Main Street to Woodstock Elementary school. Afterwards, visit with Santa at the Park at City Center, and enjoy a free moonwalk, marshmallow roast, holiday vendors and much more.
• Santa's Mailbox: Drop off your letter to Santa from December 7 through 16 at the Park at City Center. Just before Christmas, you'll receive a personalized letter back from the jolly man himself!
• The Little Drummer Boy: Enjoy this family friendly story of Daniel who receives a handmade drum for this birthday before traveling to Bethlehem where he meets Mary, Joseph and the Three Wise Men. Presented by the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, shows will be held at City Center Auditorium on Sunday December 8, 15 and 22. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
• Visit with Santa: Kris Kringle will park his sleigh at the Woodstock Visitors Center on Saturday, December 14 from 1 to 2 p.m. Kids can enjoy having their picture taken and sharing their Christmas wish list!
• A Christmas Carol: Help Scrooge learn the true meaning of Christmas during this holiday classic. A free performance (with canned good donation) will be held Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m. at the City Center Auditorium. Other show dates include December 20, 21, 23 and 24. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

If a metro Atlanta new home in Cherokee County is on your holiday wish list this year, Smith Douglas Communities has the magic elves to make it happen. With seven communities in Cherokee County, including some with Atlanta homes priced under 200k, you're bound to find a new home and community that is your dream come true.

Visit the Smith Douglas Communities website at www.SmithDouglas.com or call 770-485-7086 to learn more.

The Orchards Group Continues to Break Sales Records in September

The Orchards Group is pleased to announce that they have continued to break sales records this year with the closing of eight new metro Atlanta active adult homes in the month of September.

The Orchards of East Cherokee in Hickory Flat and The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm in Cumming each saw four home closings last month. As further evidence that the Atlanta real estate market has made drastic improvements over the last 18 to 24 months, six of the new home buyers were current metro Atlanta residents.

“When we were in the depths of the recession, 75 percent of our new homeowners were moving in from out of state,” said Mitch Block, director of sales and marketing for The Orchards Group. “The local prospective buyers simply could not sell their existing homes, which was necessary for them to be able to buy new homes.”

The improved Atlanta resale market has contributed to TheOrchards Group’s recent sales success, because they can sell to home buyers in the local active adult market, as they are now able to sell their home.

Residents at both of The Orchards Group communities will enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle, as regular landscaping is taken care of by the homeowner’s association. The weekly landscaping includes cutting, irrigation, mulch replacement and chemical treatments.

Thanks to the maintenance-free lifestyle, residents will have more time to enjoy the plethora of amenities that are provided by The Orchards Group. At both communities, the outstanding amenities include an inviting swimming pool, barbeque grilling area and a clubhouse complete with a fitness center, gourmet kitchen and card and game rooms. At The Orchards of East Cherokee, residents will also enjoy a waterfall sitting plaza by the pool. And, at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, the amenity package is rounded out with a community lawn, fire pit and a gentlemen’s den in the clubhouse.

For more information on the new active adult homes from The Orchards Group, contact the sales center at The Orchards at East Cherokee at 770-345-5409 or at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm at 678-513-8879. Or, you can visit www.OrchardsGroup.com.

New Model for Woodstock, GA Homes Now Open

Before you make one of the biggest decisions and purchases of your lifetime, you want to make sure you are fully informed. For buyers of Smith Douglas Communities' affordable homes in Atlanta, getting all of the information you need to make the right decision is easy. Not only does the Atlanta home builder have a fully trained team of experts ready to answer any questions you may have and an easy to use website, but you can also tour model homes and speak with representatives on site at many of their communities. In fact, one of their most popular communities of Woodstock, GA homes just opened the doors of its brand new model home for buyers to tour.

The Manchester model at this community of Cherokee County homes for sale is located on home site 19. Featuring three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, this home is completely loaded with lots of features and finishes. Outside, you are greeted by a stone and Hardi fiber cement siding exterior and two-car garage. Inside, the foyer leads to a large family room which is also open to the kitchen with breakfast bar that is perfect for casual dining. Upstairs, the home offers a laundry room, large secondary bedrooms with vaulted ceilings and a luxurious owner's suite with large walk-in closet and sitting area.

This community of metro Atlanta new homes offers buyers the choice of four distinct two-story floor plans with three to four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms priced from the $150,000s. Standard features of these homes include brick and stone accented exteriors, lush wall to wall carpeting with padding and premium no-wax vinyl floors, luxurious owner's bathrooms with separate garden tubs, large secondary bedrooms with vaulted ceilings, ceiling fans in the family room and master bedrooms and much more.

Woodstock Village offers residents easy access to I-575 and GA 400, and is just minutes from the shopping, dining and entertainment available at Main Street Woodstock. Other attractions near these homes in metro Atlanta include The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, Woodlands Park, Dupree Park and Towne Lake Hills Golf Club.

Children residing in the community will attend Little River Elementary, Mill Creek Middle and River Ridge High.

To learn more about Smith Douglas' affordable Atlanta new homes at Woodstock Village, call 404-867-4055. The model home is located at 130 Village Trail in Woodstock, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. 

The Orchards Group Sells 200th Home at Cumming Community

If you’ve been considering moving to an Atlanta active adult community, time is running out at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm. This popular community, located in Cumming, has recently sold their 200^th and 201^st home. With only 218 total homes, the final 17 homes are sure to sell quickly.

The active adult homes that remain at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm are priced from the $270,000s through the $340,000s, and they are expected to be move-in ready by the first quarter of 2014. Currently, there is one single-family detached home available, four ranch condominiums and 12 master-on-the-main townhome villas.

While the homes from The Orchards Group are a hit for home buyers, the amenities that are available at the community are a draw as well. Amenities at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm include a swimming pool, barbeque grilling area, community lawn, fire pit and a grand clubhouse complete with card and game rooms, fitness center, gourmet kitchen and a gentlemen’s den with a fireplace.

Residents will benefit from a low-maintenance lifestyle at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, giving them plenty of time to enjoy all of the amenities and activities at the community. Regular landscaping is included as part of the homeowner’s association, so residents do not have to worry about cutting their grass or trimming bushes, replacing mulch, watering their lawn or taking care of chemical lawn treatments.

With The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm nearing sell-out status, The Orchards Group has actively been searching out new property to build on in the popular Cumming area. They currently have one parcel of land that has been submitted for rezoning, and they have their sights set on other areas nearby. To stay updated on the future developments from The Orchards Group, be sure to visit their website.

To find out more information about the new active adult homes that are available at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, contact their sales center at 678-513-8879.

Only Six Single-Family Homes Remain at Two Active Adult Communities

The Atlanta real estate market is continuing its steady climb, and active adult homes have been a large part of the new construction that is underway across the metro area. According to a recent article in KNOW Atlanta magazine, the metro Atlanta area is one of the top places to retire.

The Orchards Group, a premier active adult home builder in Atlanta, has seen a huge increase in sales this year. Director of sales and marketing for The Orchards Group, Mitch Block, says he expects both of their metro Atlanta communities to be completely sold out of single-family homes by the end of this year.

The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, located in Cumming, has only one single-family home remaining. With 2,400 square feet of living space, this Magnolia plan has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus an additional activities suite upstairs with a full bath. Construction on the home has just begun, leaving the new home owner plenty of time to make interior design selections for the home, including flooring, countertops, lighting and paint colors.

At The Orchards of East Cherokee in Hickory Flat, there are only five basement sites still available for single-family homes. All of the non-basement home sites in the community have already been sold! According to Block, many of the new homeowners have chosen to finish the basements in their home, providing them with extra living space that is perfect for a media room, additional guest bedroom and activity or party rooms. The basement home designs at The Orchards of East Cherokee are priced from the low $300,000s.

All of the communities built by The Orchards Group provide maintenance-friendly lifestyle for their residents. Regular landscaping, including mulch replacement, weekly cutting, chemical treatments and an irrigation system are all part of the services provided through the homeowner’s association.

Both active adult communities also feature an amazing list of amenities, including a swimming pool, barbeque grilling area and a grand clubhouse with a gourmet kitchen, fitness center and card and game rooms. In addition, each community has unique outdoor living areas, such as the waterfall sitting plaza at The Orchards of East Cherokee and the fire pit at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm.

For more information on the single-family active adult homes available from The Orchards Group, visit their website at ww.OrchardsGroup.com, or contact The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm at 678-513-8879 or The Orchards of East Cherokee at 770-345-5409.

Residents of New Homes in Atlanta Score Big with Brock Built

When it comes to hosting the perfect tailgating party, you need a new home in Atlanta that will stay strong up until the last whistle blows at the end of the fourth quarter. Luckily for you, Brock Built has an all-star roster of homes and communities for you to choose from.

From pre-game to post-game, Brock Built's Atlanta new homes are designed to keep loyal fans happy not just on game day, but every day.

They know the T.V. is one of the most important aspects to any good tailgate, and their floor plans are designed to give homeowners several game watching spots. You can choose from their fireside living rooms, spacious second floor media rooms, finished basement sports bars or when the weather's nice, amazing outdoor living areas. No matter which room in the house you choose for your game watching arena, Brock Built is sure your friends and family will give it a perfect score.

And, what good tailgate is complete without delicious food? Whether you're serving up your pre-game snacks or fourth-quarter desserts, you can count on their gourmet kitchens to help you make the play. With features such as 42-inch cabinets for plenty of storage, granite countertops for durability and stainless steel appliances for high powered cooking, Brock Built's kitchens are equipped to handle game-long use.

At the end of the day, these Atlanta new homes are also the perfect place to rest up for the next big game. Luxury master suites with spa bathrooms, walk-in closets and fireside sitting rooms make you feel like the MVP, while kids will also enjoy living like a champion in their own cozy bedroom suite.

So, if you're still searching for the perfect property that can help you be on the winning team, Brock Built wants you to score with one of their homes.

Be sure to scout out their homes for sale in Atlanta by visiting www.BrockBuilt.com or calling 404-472-5707.

Increasing Your Home’s Value with Outdoor Upgrades

If you’re planning to put your North Georgia home on the market and looking for a way to set your home apart, some outdoor upgrades may do the trick! Jessica Yonker, design expert from HGTV was interviewed in a recent Equifax Finance blog article, “Increase Your Home’s Value With These Five Outdoor Upgrades” and quoted as saying, “It’s useless to have a beautiful home inside and a mess outside,” so add some curb appeal with outdoor improvements:

• Fire pits – buyers will imagine themselves curled up around a glowing fire in a fire pit, which either can be built-in (you can build a simple one yourself) or portable (attractive, portable fire pits can be found in your department store or home improvement store)
• Outdoor kitchens – go all out with a kitchen outside that will make outdoor entertaining easy; add a sink, grill, stove/oven, bar, fridge and more

Atlanta Active Adult Builder Sees Increase in Home Sales

As one of Atlanta’s premier active adult builders, it’s no surprise that The Orchards Group has seen strong sales so far this year. But, the hot streak that occurred between January 1 and June 30, 2013 with 43 homes sold in their two communities beat everyone’s expectations! The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm in Cumming sold 26 new homes and The Orchards of East Cherokee, a community in Woodstock, recorded 17 new homes sales. Of special note is The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, where 187 of the 218 total properties have been sold. “We expect to be sold out by the end of this year,” said Craig Smith, sales associate for the company.

Mitch Block, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Orchards Group, adds that more than 75 percent of the new homes sold have been inventory homes that were already under construction or very near completion. "As the Atlanta real estate market picks up, homeowners are seeing their homes sell quickly, so they need to be able to move into their new home quickly as well,” continues Mitch. “Many homebuyers today do not have the luxury of building a home from the ground up and having the opportunity to customize their home. The Orchards Group understands that, and knows that sometimes modifications need to be made to inventory homes to suit the new homeowner’s needs. We always try to accommodate the requests of the homebuyers to the best of our ability, and we try to compromise with homebuyers who have special requests in order to make their new homes just right for them."

TheOrchards of Brannon Oak Farm features three unique collections of homes that are priced from the $260,000s. The Arbors offers master-on-the-main villas with five different floor plans to choose from. Single-family detached homes that have either ranch or master-on-the-main plans are featured in the Gallery neighborhood, and the Southern Heritage collection consists of ranch condominium plans featuring two or three bedroom designs with an optional activities suite over the garage. The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm also includes amazing amenities like a swimming pool, lawn area, fire pit, barbeque grill and a grand clubhouse that has a large gourmet kitchen, fitness center, gentlemen’s den with fireplace and card and game rooms.

Located in historic Hickory Flat, The Orchards of East Cherokee has two villages with their own unique floor plan mixes priced from the low $200,000s. The Gallery has two to four bedroom single-family homes, and the Southern Heritage collection offers two to three bedroom ranch condominiums. All of the homes at East Cherokee are zero to low maintenance, and the community features a swimming pool, waterfall sitting plaza and barbeque grilling area, as well as a grand clubhouse with fitness center, gourmet kitchen and game and card room.

For more information on the new homes from The Orchards Group, call The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm at 648-513-8879 and The Orchards of East Cherokee at 770-345-5409, or visit their website at www.OrchardsGroup.com. 

New East Cobb Homes Within Walking Distance of Marietta Square

Brock Built is pleased to announce that their first phase of East Cobb homes at Manget will break ground on July 1. This classically inspired community offers a mix of homes interspersed with lush parks and gardens.

Brock Built's first phase of homes will feature their new "Elite" and "Cottage" series, which offer a diverse amount of floor plans priced from the high $200,000s to mid $400,000s. Interior features will include hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens, walk-up attic lofts, basements, master or guest suites on the main and elegant outdoor living spaces.

The location of Manget's new homes near Marietta Square means that homeowners live within walking distance of a bountiful amount of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Residents will also find additional shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation opportunities, as well as several major roadways, within just a few minutes of their new home.

This first phase of homes will only have 25 lots when complete, so be sure to reserve your spot today to be among the first to experience Brock Built's signature Life + Style offerings in Manget.

For more information, please call Susann Bouchillon at 404-545-3017.

Active Adults Enjoy Amazing Amenities at The Orchards Group’s Communities

Are you looking for a home in a community that has more than just plain, boring amenities? Then, look no further than the new homesin Atlanta active adult communities from The Orchards Group! Their pools are now open for the summer, which mean residents are ready to have a good time!

The grand clubhouse amenity centers are always a focal point of their communities, and all of them feature large entertaining areas, fitness centers and of course, amazing outdoor pools. Plus, each pool area also provides a gas barbeque grill perfect for community-wide events or a family cookout. At The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, women are invited to attend the weekly water aerobics class taught by a professional instructor, and at The Orchards of East Cherokee, residents can lounge by the water at the waterfall sitting plaza.

“It’s always great to see our homeowners making their way to the pool this time of year,” said Deborah Reahm, a sales associate for the builder. “It reconfirms the fun times that they experience when living at any of The Orchards neighborhoods.”

At The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm, which is located in Cumming, buyers will love the selection of master on the main villas, single family homes featuring main level living and ranch condominiums. In addition to the grand clubhouse area with swimming pool, this community also offers a bocce ball green and an arbor with a fire pit. Homeowners will also enjoy living minutes from a wealth of shops, restaurants, medical facilities, recreation areas, entertainment venues, GA 400 and more.

The Orchards of East Cherokee community offers beautiful maintenance-free ranch condominiums and maintenance-friendly single family homes, all of which come in spacious floor plans. Residents benefit from a prime location convenient to shops, restaurants, healthcare, entertainment, recreation and more in Woodstock, as well as the nearby communities of Holly Springs, Canton, Alpharetta and Roswell.

For more information on Brannon Oak Farm, please call 678-513-8879. For more information on East Cherokee, please call 770-345-5409. To learn more about The Orchards Group, visit www.OrchardsGroup.com.

Helping Your Child Develop Financial Independence

With early lessons, children can develop
financial independence and strong
credit scores.

This time of year can be an emotional one for parents with high school and college graduates. Graduation ceremonies make for proud moments, but for many parents, it is a time of reflection on their job as parents. As our young adult children walk across that stage to get their diploma, we can’t help but hope that we did the very best we could to prepare them for the real world and owning their own homes in North Georgia, and one of the most important things we can teach our children is to be financially independent. Many parents wait until after high school to worry about teaching their children about financial independence, but lessons in financial independence and saving should start sooner than that.

The Equifax finance blog recently published an article titled “Preparing Your Children for Financial Independence”, which provides some helpful tips for setting your child on the right financial path.

1.    Talk to your children about their financial goals and help them develop a plan for success. Share with your children how to earn, appreciate and manage money and set a budget for them to live within their means. Talk about how much they should save to reach the lifestyle they hope to one day have. 

Atlanta Active Adult Communities Selling Last-of-their-Kind Homes

Atlanta active adults interested in buying a single family basement home at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm or a courtyard home at The Orchards of East Cherokee need not wait any longer, as the last of each of these style of homes are now selling!

If single family basement home living is what you're after, head on over to the Hawthorne plan home priced at $359,265 on lot 21 at Brannon Oak Farm. Inside this home, you'll not only find a basement, but also two bedrooms, a den or third bedroom, two bathrooms, dark maple kitchen cabinets, a living room with built-in cabinets, screened porch and heavily wooded yard.

Residents enjoy plenty of amenities including a grand clubhouse, two swimming pools, arbor, lawn with barbeque grill and a firepit.

Want the convenience and style of a courtyard home? Visit the Belmont plan home priced at $269,350 on lot 102 at East Cherokee. In addition to offering a lovely courtyard, this home includes two bedrooms, a den or third bedroom, two bathrooms, granite countertops and light maple cabinets in the kitchen, separate breakfast and dining rooms and large covered and uncovered patios.

At this community, residents will find an amenities package which includes a barbeque grilling area, swimming pool, waterfall sitting plaza and grand clubhouse.

Both communities offer excellent locations with healthcare, major roadways, shops, restaurants, recreation and entertainment nearby.

With both homes now move-in ready, interested buyers are encouraged to visit these communities today to take advantage of these last-of-their-kind homes.

For more information on Brannon Oak Farm, call 678-513-8879. For more information on East Cherokee, call 770-345-5409. To learn more about us, visit www.OrchardsGroup.com.

Cobb County New Home Communities Highlighted on Deals on Wheels Bus Tour

If you weren't on the Atlanta Sales and Marketing Council's Deals on Wheels bus last week, you missed out. More than 25 REALTORS had the opportunity to get a sneak peek of two of Traton Homes' newest communities in Cobb County, The Estates at Davis Ridge and Great Oaks Estates.

At The Estates at Davis Ridge, onsite agent Kerri Briant showed off the community's model home, which is currently under construction with a scheduled completion date of mid-May. Featuring the Logan plan, the model home showcases luxury finishes such as a master on the main, hardwood floors, an oversized kitchen island, spacious fireside family room with built-in bookcases, master suite with trey ceiling and a finished media room. These Cobb County new homes will be priced from the low $600,000s, and the first two buyers can take advantage of a special offer including $7,500 in closing costs and $10,000 in FREE design options. For more information, please call Kerri at 770-578-4444.

Great Oaks Estates is the second new community that is currently under construction from this Cobb County home builder. Here, buyers will find 22 homes priced from the low $300,000s. During the tour, REALTORS were able to tour the under construction model home, which features the Greystone floor plan with luxury features including hardwood floors, nine-foot ceilings on the main level, maple kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, recessed lighting and large tile showers. Sales at this community are already underway, so please call Kathryn Schultz or Kirk Ricketts at 678-574-3491 for more details.

For more than 40 years, Traton Homes has been bringing their top quality luxury homes to the best locations and school districts in metro Atlanta. To learn more about the builder and their Atlanta new home communities, visit the Traton Homes website.

New Active Adult Homes Under Construction in Cumming

Following a soaring year of sales in 2012 and a strong first quarter in 2013, The Orchards Group is experiencing overwhelming demand for their Cumming active adult homes at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm. In order to keep up, they are building 15 new homes at this community, half of which have already sold.

"With the sales pace we have been maintaining over the last several months and the new construction activity, we anticipate to be built and sold out of this community by the end of 2013. Any active adults in the area who have been thinking about buying are highly encouraged to visit our sales center today to see what everyone has been raving about," said Mitch Block, Director of Sales and Marketing for The Orchards Group.

In their ranch condominium collection, they are building eight new homes, five of which have already sold. An Ellijay with bonus room and screened-in porch for $319,900 and an Ashewood with sunroom and walk-up attic storage for $269,900 will be ready at the end of August. Those seeking to move sooner will be sure to love their mid June move-in  Charleston home with bonus room and sunroom for $309,900.

One of two single-family homes also remains and will be ready in mid July. This home showcases the popular Piedmont plan with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and upgrades throughout for $296,950.

Capping off the new construction is five master on the main villas, three of which are still available. To be ready in late August are a Cypress with a basement for $389,900 and a Dogwood with basement for $349,900. The third home, another Cypress, will be ready in late September for $355,500.

All of these beautiful homes offer stunning details and finishes, as well as low maintenance exteriors, giving you more time to spend doing what you really enjoy.

Our residents are sure to find plenty to do right within the community with a host of clubs and interest groups, a grand clubhouse, lawn area, barbeque grill, firepit and arbor.

Located in Cumming, Brannon Oak Farm is just minutes from shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, parks, golf courses, medical centers, community centers and GA 400.

For more information on these homes and the community, call 678-513-8879 or visit www.OrchardsGroup.com.

Tour the Camellia at Enclave at Laura Creek

Brock Built invites all Atlanta real estate agents to come and see what they have blooming at their newest Cobb County homes community, The Enclave at Laura Creek. On Tuesday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 17 from 12 to 4 p.m., agents will be able to tour their newest floor plan, the Camellia and enjoy light refreshments. Plus, be one of the first 25 agents to visit either day, and you'll receive a $10 gas card!

The Camellia is beautiful four bedroom and three-and-a-half bathroom home priced from $296,900. The specific home agents will be touring on lot 10 includes a full unfinished basements, and is priced at $326,900. Whether you're looking for flexible living spaces or designated entertaining areas, this plan has it all! This home includes a formal dining room, gourmet kitchen open to the breakfast nook and fireside family room, hobby room, media room or fifth bedroom, spacious master suite with trey ceilings and much more. Those seeking outdoor living will enjoy the rocking chair front porch and large back deck.

In addition to the Camellia, Brock Built is offering four additional three to four bedroom plans for these homes for sale in Atlanta. Buyers can choose from added features such as masters on the main or basements, while items such as granite countertops, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, designer lighting, energy efficient designs and HardiePlank exteriors all come standard.

The Enclave at Laura Creek is a gated, established community with 28 existing homes and 18 new homes. Residents enjoy a sought-after location close to I-75, I-575, Town Center, Rockridge Forest Preserve and Wildlife Refuge, Pinetree Country Club, Bells Ferry Park and much more.

Students living within the community will attend Bells Ferry Elementary, Daniell Middle and Sprayberry High schools.

For more information on this event and this community, please call Larry Manning at 404-310-9587.

East Cobb Homes Located in Outstanding School District

A lot of factors go into searching for the perfect new homes, especially when you have children. Are there enough bedrooms, are there parks and playgrounds nearby and most importantly, is the home located in a quality school district? As an East Cobb home builder, Traton Homes knows how important a quality education is and only builds spacious single-family homes in the most desirable school districts.

Cobb County Homes Blossoming for Spring

With the arrival of spring, flowers aren't the only thing blossoming; Brock Built's Cobb County homes at Idlewilde are also blooming into fantastic opportunities for homebuyers.

The Asheville plan on homesite 11 is a stunning Craftsman-style home with five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms for $639,900. Features include a gourmet kitchen open to the great room and breakfast nook, formal dining room, formal living room or study with cozy fireplace, master suite on the main with his and hers walk-in closets, second floor bedroom suite with sitting room, second level media room, back deck and front porch.

Next door is the wonderful Destin plan with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Priced at $629,900, homesite 12 offers hardwoods throughout the first floor, bedroom suite on the main level, a formal dining room, fireside family room, chef's kitchen open to a fireside keeping room and breakfast nook, laundry room on the second floor, second level media room, master suite with large closet and bathroom, deck with screened porch, lovely front porch and a three-car garage.

This intimate community of just 15 homes in Marietta is convenient to Carl Harrison Park, Sweat Mountain Park, the Shallow Ford Shopping Center and much more.

Children will attend Lassiter High, Simpson Middle and Rocky Mount elementary schools.

Brock Built's new homes are the perfect spot for your growing family, so be sure to stop by today or call 404-786-8435 for more information.

Good Books and Great Homes at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm

How many times have you wanted to read a good book, but don't want to drive to your local library or bookstore to find one? Residents at The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm in Cumming are lucky enough to have their own little library located right within the community clubhouse.

Homeowner Giselle Warner recently took on the task of creating a community library based on the honor system from the community's overflowing cabinet. In addition, she volunteers her time to manage this "library" by making sure the books are organized by category and author.

This "pet project" of Giselle's is just one of the many benefits of choosing this charming active adult community from The Orchards Group. In addition to the library, residents enjoy amenities such as a fitness center, two cards and games room, fireside grand room, large gourmet kitchen, gentlemen's den with fireplace, covered veranda, grilling area, lawns, two swimming pools and a fire pit.

Homebuyers enjoy a selection of beautiful single family homes, master on the main villas and ranch condominiums all with floor plans and features designed for aging in place.

Like many of the community's residents, Giselle choose the community to be closer to family, and its Cumming address makes this possible. Located in Forsyth County, Brannon Oak Farm is just minutes from major roadways and interstates, as well as local shopping, dining, medical centers, entertainment and recreation.

With 160 homeowners already enjoying the community's simplified lifestyle and only a few homes remaining, it's time you make your move today!

For more information, please visit www.OrchardsGroup.com or call 678-513-8879.

Wallace Run Sold Out, More New Homes in Forsyth County Nearby

Wilson Parker Homes is pleased to announce that they have sold out of their popular new homes in Forsyth County at Wallace Run. Be sure to check out these other communities nearby:

Come see their six amazing floor plans offering up to 4,000 square feet at Castille. This community offers homes priced from the mid $200,000s, a wealth of amenities and an Alpharetta address in the West Forsyth High school district.

Forsyth's best kept secret truly is the Brookside community. Located in Ducktown, these new homes priced from the $180,000s offer oversized wooded lots, up to 3,500 square feet and several amenities for the whole family to enjoy.

Tour the two decorated model homes at Bridgetowne to see what everyone has been talking about! This swim and tennis community of new homes in Atlanta offers 10 single family floor plans priced from the $150,000s in addition to an extensive amenities package and location convenient to GA 400.

Want something a little smaller? Courts at Bridgetowne won't disappoint! These townhomes are priced from the low $100,000s with up to 2,000 square feet, two to three bedrooms and six wonderful floor plans.

Finally, if living on the lake sounds like a dream come true, visit Avalon at Lake Lanier. This fast-selling community offer their estate sized homes priced from the $180,000s. Nearby attractions include Marketplace Boulevard, Lake Lanier, Lanier Golf Club, Highway 20 and GA 400.

With such a wealth of communities in Forsyth County, your family is bound to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle!

For more information on all of these communities, visit www.WilsonParkerHomes.com.

Cobb County Homes Offer Organic Dining Nearby

When you think of Cobb County, you may not think of beautiful farms with rolling pastures, but that doesn't mean that healthy, organic food isn't available for you and your family. Whether cooking at home or enjoying a meal out, CobbCounty homes offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy organic food.

What exactly is "organic"? Organic refers to the way that farmers grow and process agricultural products such as meats, dairy products, grains, fruits and vegetables. During the growing process, farmers do not use conventional methods to control weeds, prevent disease or fertilize, instead they seek out other processes that are much more natural and a lot less harmful. Organic practices are also beneficial for reducing pollution and encourage soil and water conservation.

Bring the farm to your dining room table with organic grocery shopping. Organic sections in your local farmers market or grocery store are a great option, but don't forget about having fresh food delivered straight to your door. Nature's Garden delivered allows homeowners to receive a box of vegetables, fruits or other products without leaving the comfort of their home. You can choose how often you want your fresh, organic products to be delivered, and what you want to receive. This convenient service is available to homeowners residing in any of Traton's metro Atlanta communities, including residents of their CherokeeCounty new homes.

Want to enjoy organic food outside your home? Chicken and The Egg off of Whitlock Avenue features a full menu of Southern comfort food based heavily on the farm-to-table concept. If you're looking for fresh dining, you won't go wrong with this farmhouse-inspired restaurant.

The South is known for farming and agriculture, so why not take benefit from some of the best food in the country? With Traton Homes' gourmet kitchens, you will be perfectly equipped to create organic culinary delights that your whole family will enjoy.

Start enjoying farm fresh meals in your Traton Homes kitchen today! For more information, please visit www.TratonHomes.com.

Two Decorated Models Double the Fun at East Cherokee

Homebuyers looking for the perfect active adult community can look no further because the Orchards Group is what you’ve been waiting for! Take a tour of The Orchards of EastCherokee in Woodstock, and visit the two new professionally decorated model homes while you’re there.

Both model homes are featured in East Cherokee’s Southern Heritage collection of ranch condominiums. Even better, if you fall in love with one of these models, the home design can be replicated on another homesite!

Priced from $239,000, the first decorated model features the Ashewood floor plan. This plan boasts two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sunroom and fabulous upgrades including: site finished oak hardwood floors, extensive trim, maple cabinets in the kitchen, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, built-in cabinets and walk-up storage.

The second model home features the lovely Beaumont plan with two bedrooms and two baths. This plan offers a wonderful flex space that can be used as whatever you want! Create a breakfast room, game room or reading room. This floor plan also features their optional 600 square foot activities suite with full bath over the garage! The Beaumont home design can be yours for around $209,000.

Mitch Block, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Orchards Group stated, "We want to properly demonstrate the improvements we have made to some of our floor plans." He added, "With the increased level of sales (we are now just under 50 percent sold), we felt a permanent presence in a more visible section of the community was warranted as well."

While you’re in the neighborhood visiting the gorgeous model homes, stop by the community clubhouse to check out all of the wonderful amenities The Orchards of East Cherokee has to offer. The grand clubhouse includes a fitness center, game and card rooms, gourmet kitchen, fireplace and a 5.1 surround sound TV entertainment center. Outside, residents can enjoy the swimming pool, waterfall sitting plaza and barbecue grilling area.

Active adult homebuyers love East Cherokee ranch condominiums and single family homes because of their excellent quality and convenient Woodstock location! For more information call 770-345-5409 or visit www.OrchardsGroup.com.