Vacation home for generations to enjoy

Mark Chandler, 49, a real estate property manager/broker, had been following the progress of Blalock Lakes, a 3,000-acre community in Coweta County that presents a unique lifestyle package. With lakes for water activities including fishing, lots of nature trails and reserved greenspace and a hunt club with shooting course, the development would appeal to a wide range of interests. One of seven siblings with 20 nieces and nephews, it wasn’t long before Chandler realized he had found a place that several generations of family members could enjoy together.

“There’s no family farm, but a lot of us like to hunt and fish. Blalock Lakes with its lakes and boat house and planned pool and tennis courts offered a place where two or three generations of the family could go and everybody would have something to do,” said Chandler. A year ago he purchased a lot in the community on behalf of a family partnership. By May, building had started for a home that would house two to three generations of the Chandler/Jones family.

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Photos by Christopher Oquendo / AJC Special

Mark Chandler enjoys the deck of his home at Blalock Lakes.

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The outdoor fire pit with the lakeside view is a major attraction of Mark Chandler’s home at Blalock Lakes.

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Blalock Lakes is a 3,000-acre community in Coweta County and features plenty of lakes for water activities.

Getting there:

Take I-85 south to Exit 41 (Moreland/Hwy. 29). Turn right and drive until you reach Pine Road. Turn left onto Pine Road. At the dead end, turn right onto New Corinth Road and travel 5.5 miles. The property entrance will be on the right.

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Unique amenities: Chandler and his family were glad to find a community that had a variety of offerings instead of being entirely focused on golf. “I play a lot of golf, but so many times these second home developments are centered around golf, and if you have someone in the family who doesn’t play, there’s really nothing for them to do. Blalock Lakes offers enough variety that everyone in our family will find plenty to enjoy.”

An easy drive down: Chandler’s wife, Barbara, grew up in Newnan and her family has been in the area for generations. The couple even has a little weekend cabin at the north end of Coweta County. “This is just a perfect getaway spot. It’s only 50 minutes from Atlanta and an easy commute. When people ask how long it takes to get there, I tell them it’s 45 minutes, give or take 5,” he laughed.

At a glance:

The Chandler/Jones house is almost complete. The cottage-style building on its acre lot is about 3,500 square feet with a master and two other bedrooms on the main level, and a full basement with two bedrooms and a bath. The lower level also features a recreation room, while the main level houses the family room/kitchen. Chandler says the house will easily sleep 10-12 people. The family worked with Pine Mountain Builders to create their family getaway.

Information:

Almost half of the 3,000-acre Blalock Lakes community has been set aside for recreational uses. The 399 home sites vary in size from a half-acre up to 40 acres and are arrayed around three lakes totaling 180 acres. There’s a hunting preserve with a shooting clay course, a Hunt Club, an equestrian center where home owners can stable their horses and a neighborhood post office and general store. Homesites of up to 50 acres are available and prices start in the low $100,000s and homesite packages start in the high $500,000s.

“Cousins has completed a one-of-a-kind outdoor sporting community where the care of your family, healthy activities and a wholesome lifestyle are our highest priority,” said Ken Breland, Corporate Director of Sales at Cousins Properties. “Years ago, the Blalock family acquired this beautiful 3,000 acre Georgia ridge property virtually untouched by time or man and shared it with friends for decades. Now following their legacy, Cousins has set aside almost half the land for an array of outdoor sporting pleasures - developing a place where only 399 homeowners will have the run of it.”

For sale:

9 Paddle Boat Lane; four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath; lakefront with dock, outside fire pit and detached garage; $849,900

31 Paddle Boat Lane; three-bedroom four bath; wooded home site near Boathouse Point, unfinished basement; $799,000

33 Paddle Boat Lane; homesite near Boathouse Point; $134,900

Information:

Blalock Lakes or 404-683-0861.