Taking stock of new home

David Vance used money from investments to purchase a place at Cumming’s Brookhaven at Lanier Ridge last year. He moved from Alpharetta and was intrigued by Forsyth County’s lower taxes. Vance, 63, who works for IBM, chatted about his new home.

Enlarge this image

Christopher Oquendo/AJC Special

David Vance’s home at Brookhaven at Lanier Ridge, located in Cumming.

Enlarge this image

Christopher Oquendo/AJC Special

Since moving to the community, Vance has enjoyed the amenities it offers. He uses the exercise room, and in the summer he uses the pool with his grandson when he visits.

Enlarge this image

Christopher Oquendo/AJC Special

David Vance likes the space in his new home at Brookhaven at Lanier Ridge in Cumming. ‘You’re not stuck in one little room,’ he said.

Getting there

Take Ga. 400 north to Exit 14 (Cumming). Turn right on Ga. 20, travel about 2 miles and turn left on Samples Road. Take an immediate left into Brookhaven at Lanier Ridge.

Atlanta home development stories

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Q: Were you looking for an active adult community?

A: I was looking to basically get in a community where you don’t have a lot of young children running around and people more my age, just for the social aspect.

Q: What did you like about this community?

A: I loved the location of my unit, and I loved the exterior look of the units. People tend to think of condos as boxes. This just has a different look and feel, which to me is much more enjoyable. It’s not a boxy look in the interior. It’s wide open and has a sunroom and a screened-in porch. You’re not stuck in one little room. It probably has as much space as the house that I moved out of.

Q: Did you take advantage of incentives?

A: Oh yeah. I gave them a price that I was willing to pay. I think I was the second one to sign a contract in here and the first one to close in two hours. I bought at the lowest price in here for the type of unit that I got. I took advantage of everything I could — the bonus room for practically nothing, the screened-in porch for nothing.

Q: How did you finance it?

A: I had a significant amount of stock, which I sold, not all of it, but some of it, to purchase, for the down payment, plus to give me some options for new furniture. The home is worth more than what the stock would have been worth. It was at a 52-week high the day I sold it (in April 2008).

Q: Have you enjoyed the amenities?

A: I would not have purchased had they not built the clubhouse and the pool beforehand. It shows me that (the builder) was at least willing to sink his money into the project and would not walk away from it. I use the exercise room five or six days a week. In the summertime I use the pool with my grandson when he comes to visit.

At a Glance

David Vance’s home has 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a bonus room and more than 2,000 square feet of livable space. He purchased it last summer.

Brookhaven at Lanier Ridge

Address: 4172 Lanier Ridge Walk, Cumming 30041

County: Forsyth

Information: 770-888-9995, Jim Chapman communities

Price range: $265,000-$350,000

Homes: 88

Square footage:

2,125-2,375

Standard features: Vaulted ceilings, transom windows, granite countertops in kitchen, tile floors in kitchen and baths

Amenities: Heated pool, outdoor gas fireplace, clubhouse featuring catering kitchen, card/game room, exercise facility, gated, sidewalks

Homeowners fees: $230 per month

Developer/builder: Jim Chapman Communities

Recent sales

» $312,000: 4240 Lanier Ridge Walk, Cumming 30041. A new 3-bedroom 2-bath home with a finished bonus room.

» $282,000: 4188 Lanier Ridge Walk, Cumming 30041. A new 2-bedroom 2-bath home with a sunroom and finished bonus room.

For sale

$292,000: 4242 Lanier Ridge Walk, Cumming 30041. A new 2-bedroom, 2-bath home with a sunroom and unfinished bonus room.

$335,204: 4182 Lanier Ridge Walk, Cumming 30041. A new 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with a sunroom and side covered porch off the living room.