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Tuesday, 3 January 2017
Williamson county is one of the top 5 markets for new construction in the country.
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Williamson builders hustled to keep pace with buyers in 2016

, For The Tennessean8:04 a.m. CT Jan. 2, 2017

The sounds of hammers and saws could be heard throughout Williamson County the past year as home builders, trying to keep pace with the growing population, sought approval to build more than 2,400 new single-family houses.

"Williamson County is one of the top five growth counties in the United States," said David McGowan, president of Regent Homes.

That growth is driven by families relocating in order to send their children to Williamson County's highly rated schools and professionals attracted by corporate office jobs in Cool Springs, he said.

One recent example is the decision by CKE, the parent company of the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurant chains, to move its operations from California and St. Louis to Cool Springs, where it will employ more than 120 people in a new headquarters operation.

Many employers are moving to Williamson County for the same reasons, said McGowan.

"They are moving here for (lower) taxes and the quality of life," he said.

By late December, builders had received approval for construction of 2,435 new homes in Williamson County's cities and unincorporated areas. That number is likely to increase as final figures are tabulated.

Franklin, for example, issued building permits for 678 homes through the end of November. That number could grow when December is added to it.

Spring Hill approved 652 building permits through November. That was more than in all of 2015, when the city issued 576 permits.

There were 259 home building permits issued in Nolensville, 185 in Thompson's Station and 77 in Fairview. Brentwood approved 163 housing starts. In the unincorporated areas of the county, 421 homes were approved for construction.

Those unincorporated areas include College Grove, where The Grove and Hideaway at Arrington luxury golf communities are located and where The Jones Co. is building in the Falls Grove community. Those areas also include Arrington, where the Kings' Chapel gated community is located.

"We've had a really big year," said Spring Hill spokesman Jamie Page. "It exceeded last year, and last year was a really big year," with 576 permits.

John Maher Builders, one of the most active home builders in the area, is building homes in a new phase of the Wade's Grove subdivision and in Spring Hill Place.

"Spring Hill is desirable for many reasons, including affordability, safe communities, convenient shopping and proximity to Nashville and other locations such as Franklin and Columbia," said John Maher, founder of the company.

Buyers include first-time homeowners, retirees, people relocating from out of state and others, said Maher.

Fairview is attracting increasing attention from home builders. The city approved construction of 77 homes through late December. That was more than in all of 2015, when 60 permits were approved. In 2014, builders sought permission for 39 homes.

"It's been a good year," said Sharon Hall, the city's codes clerk. "We had 20 in September, and we've never had that number."

Large builders in the city include The Jones Co., which developed the Heartland Reserve subdivision, and Ole South, which is active in the Deer Valley Downs and Western Woods neighborhoods.

In Franklin, Celebration Homes has been especially active in the Berry Farms master planned community, located along the I-65 growth corridor.

"Berry Farms is becoming the new hidden gem of Franklin," said Celebration Homes President Randall Smith.

Values are rising along with the number of homes built, he said.

"Where we had home sales when we started in 2013 in the upper $300,000s we now have luxury residences in the $500,000s to over $800,000. Several larger estate homes are planned soon that will be near $1 million," offered by Celebration Homes and Ford Custom Homes, said Smith.

In Berry Farms, Regent Homes offers townhomes and Town Center condos starting around $250,000. In Westhaven, the company is building condos with prices starting at $352,720.

Regent is building homes in Nolensville in the Brittain Downs, Burkitt Village, Eulas Glen and Sherwood Green Estates subdivisions; in Franklin in the Lockwood Glen neighborhood and in Spring Hill in the Shirebrook neighborhood.

Demand was consistently strong throughout 2016.

"Normally you expect December to be slow, but we'll have 35 sales," said McGowan. "It's extremely strong."

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/homes/2017/01/02/williamson-builders-hustled-keep-pace-buyers-2016/95980190/
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Posted on 01/03/2017 6:36 AM by Tiffany Olson
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