A combination of attainable prices, a growing local economy and a location along I-65 is making Spring Hill and Columbia a destination for new home buyers looking for value and convenience.

Home builders are working overtime to meet demand.

“The I-65 corridor is creating its own job stability. It’s becoming a major employment center,” said Trey Lewis, vice president for Ole South, the region’s largest home builder.

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New homes priced below county’s average

Williamson County educator Kara Lindsey was surprised to find a new, attainably priced townhome in the Petra Commons neighborhood a short walk from the school where she teaches. Homes in Petra Commons, located on the Williamson County side of Spring Hill, are priced from around $242,000. That is well below the county’s average price of $641,377.

Lindsey, a first-time buyer, wanted to shorten her commute but worried about finding a home in her price range.

“I often stay late at school,” said Lindsey, who moved from suburban Bellevue on Nashville’s west side.

“I can walk to school. This is such a great location,” she said.

Petra Commons will have 15,000 square feet of office and retail space inside the neighborhood, including a Just Love coffee shop, a branch of Franklin Synergy Bank, a dentist’s office and a chiropractor.                                                                                 

“When I want a cup of coffee, I can just walk over,” said Lindsey.

Teachers, first responders and other middle class home buyers are attracted to Petra Commons, said Sales Manager Jeffrey Caruth. It is one of several attainably priced neighborhoods developed on the Williamson and Maury County sides of Spring Hill by Regent Homes.

“There is a shortage of attainably priced homes,” said Caruth.

700 homes in pipeline for area

On Spring Hill’s Maury County side, Ole South is preparing for a new phase of home building in the Derryberry Estates neighborhood. The initial phase sold out. New homes are expected to be available by the end of the year, said Lewis.

Prices for new, three-bedroom single-family homes with all kitchen appliances, two full baths and two-car garages will start in the mid-$200,000s. Buyers will be able to move in with just $1,000 in closing costs, he said.

Ole South is launching a new community, Brandon Woods, not far from Derryberry Estates. The neighborhood will features townhomes with two or three bedrooms, downstairs masters and one-car garages. Prices will begin in the lower $200,000s, said Lewis.

When other future neighborhoods are included, Ole South has 700 home sites “in the pipeline” for the area. “We’re committed to Spring Hill for a long, long time,” he said.

Spring Hill and Columbia form the largest metropolitan area between the Nashville region, where Nissan and General Motors manufacture vehicles, and Huntsville, Ala., where Toyota and Mazda are creating 4,000 jobs at a $1.6 billion jointly owned factory.

“Their suppliers are looking at the I-65 area” and creating jobs in the Spring Hill and Columbia area, said Lewis.

Townhomes offer value

In Columbia, Parkside Builders is offering attainably price homes in the Carter’s Station community. In the Village at Carter’s Station, single-family cottage homes and townhomes are priced from the $190,000s. In the Townhomes at Carter’s Station, prices start in the low $200,000s.

In the heart of Spring Hill, teachers, workers employed in the city’s fast-growing retail sector and others are finding attainable prices at Spring Hill Town Center Townhomes. Prices start at $211,900 for two-level townhomes with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and one-car garages.

Amenities include underground utilities, wide sidewalks, a gazebo and pocket parks.

“It’s a great value. Price is always an attraction, said Sales Manager Linda Yocca.

Residents can walk to work at The Crossings, Spring Hill’s largest shopping center, or to dinner at Olive Garden or other restaurants.

“Walkability is a huge deal,” said Yocca. “There’s even a grocery store right down the street.”

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