January 8th, 2019
Hendersonville’s Durham Farms villas hold appeal for all ages
Original Article by Bill Lewis for the Tennessean
When Teri DeVries learned about the new villas being built in Hendersonville’s Durham Farms neighborhood, she immediately decided to buy one and sell the house she purchased just 16 months earlier.
The villas, being built by David Weekley Homes, offer one-level living, which DeVries found appealing.
“I bought and sold my house in Gallatin within 16 months. It was two stories and I never went upstairs. I had two bedrooms and a bonus room upstairs that I never used — 1,000 feet up there that I never used,” she said.
Other buyers are also enthusiastic about the villas. Since announcing them last summer, David Weekley Homes has sold 12 of the 34 residences it plans to build, said Craig Neal, the company’s lead sales consultant.
“Doing that before the model is open is unheard of. We’ve sold one third of the available home sites,” said Neal.
Villa prices begin in the $310,000s. They are built in pairs, with garages between the living areas, so they take up less land than two separate single-family homes would need. That helps hold down the cost, he said.
Floor plans range from 1,734 to 1,923 square feet. The villas have three to five bedrooms.
There are two single-story floor plans. David Weekley Homes also offers a two-story floor plan with a first floor owner’s retreat and two bedrooms and a bonus room upstairs. All of the one- and two-level villas have two-car garages and a backyard.
The villas have open floor plans “that live larger,” as well as energy efficient construction intended to reduce monthly heating and cooling bills, said Neal.
There is high demand for single-level homes, he said
“Single-level homes feature open floor plans for entertaining (and) convenience, and the lack of stairs makes this home accessible to all ages,” said Neal.
The villas add to Durham Farms’ appeal to home buyers of all ages, said Suzanne Maddalon, vice president of marketing for Freehold Communities, the company developing the subdivision. The neighborhood is located on Drakes Creek Road.
“One of the emerging attractions to Durham Farms is the variety of homes that are making up the community. We’re excited to introduce the villas by David Weekley Homes as they are perfect for first-time homebuyers and young couples,” said Maddalon.
“The villas are also a fantastic way for empty-nesters to remain engaged to a connected lifestyle and both simplify and condense their lives,” she said.
DeVries has been steadily downsizing for a while. The home she sold in Gallatin had 2,800 square feet of space. She moved to it from a home with 4,000 square feet. Before that, she had a house with 8,000 square feet.
“I am downsizing and downsizing,” she said.
DeVries, who is a Realtor with Re/Max Choice Properties, served as an agent for David Weekley Homes more than a decade ago and is familiar with the company’s construction techniques. When she heard the company was offering villas, she immediately knew she wanted one.
She is also excited about living in Durham Farms once her new home is completed after the first of the year.
“I like the whole concept. I lived in Franklin and this is like a mini Westhaven,” said DeVries.
Durham Farms and Westhaven are both master planned communities with open spaces, resort-style recreational facilities and professional lifestyle directors. Both also have a variety of events, activities and clubs for residents.
“The neighbors are here. They’ve got the book club, the camaraderie,” said DeVries.