Home > Duluth.Talk > Archives > 2007 > May > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhere are the affordable houses in Gwinnett?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My girlfriend is house hunting.
She had originally purchased a townhouse in Winder, and she was scheduled to move in May. However, the new unit burned to the ground a couple of weeks ago. She had all her furniture in storage, and the house was still under construction, so she came out of the experience in pretty good shape, all things considered.
So now she begins, again, the whole process of deciding where to live.
“I would prefer to be in either Gwinnett or Barrow County,” she said. “Snellville, Lawrenceville, Winder, Dacula, even Bethlehem. I teach in Walton County, so I think maybe the eastern part of Gwinnett.”
“There’s Duluth, you know,” I said. “It’s a pretty nice area.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty nice,” she said. “I don’t know all that much about it, other than to say that most of the housing options there are not really in a teacher’s salary range. It’s either too much to afford, or it’s getting surrounded by apartments and commercial stuff.”
She was born and raised in Atlanta, so she has a pretty good idea of what the area is like.
“What are you looking for?” I asked.
This is what she told me:
“Two bedrooms, two baths, 1 or 2 car garage, sewer. No septic tanks! That’s what’s proving to be the hard part of this house hunting thus far. There are some nice, affordable houses in the areas in which I’m looking, but the developers are so gung ho to sell property, they won’t do the infrastructure right. ‘Don’t worry about roads and sewers,’ the developers and commissioners say. ‘Throw a septic tank in the back yard, throw on some tar and extra asphalt on the roads in five or ten years to deal with the potholes. Add some traffic lights to the road arteries when the neighborhoods pack the roads in, make sure that they are so out of sync with one another that traffic moves even worse. Don’t even think about widening the roads to accommodate the housing.’ That’s about how growth is in Gwinnett and Barrow.”
“Why do we put up with it?” I asked her.
“I guess because we love the South,” she said. “It’s still home. So, I’m going to find a home that works for me.”
Where would you look for an affordable house in Gwinnett or Barrow?
Permalink | Comments (28) | Categories: Bill Allen
Comments
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By Katie
May 1, 2007 7:18 AM | Link to this
I’ll sell you mine for cheap, I just want out of Norcross. 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, 1/2 acre yard—yours for the best price offered.
By Laura
May 1, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this
She will have to go further out. Once upon a time, the 30045 zip code in east Lawrenceville was affordable, but now with the revitalization of downtown Lawrenceville, even the new townhomes start in the low 200s.
They are building homes that start at 350s-500s about two miles from my home. In 2000, homes in this area used to start at 170s, but now that is a thing of the past.
By JJ
May 1, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
Sugar Hill/Buford area. I purchased mine about 4 years ago for $130,000, and it’s now upwards of $160,000. Good established neighborhood, lots of trees, huge lots, quite neighborhood, except for the occassional “thumper” driver with his loud music.
By Nancy
May 1, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
I see so many foreclosure signs in new subdivisions around my neck of the woods you can probably get one real cheap. Try looking in the 30052 zip code area. It is in Gwinnett County but in Loganville.
When I moved in only 7 years ago my neighborhood was surrounded with horse farms & fields. Now it is subdivision hell!!
By Atico
May 1, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
She will need to leave Gwinnett County to find quality affordable housing. But I want to warn anyone that thinks of moving to Barrow or Jackson Counties. You will find half of what you are looking for, affordable, but NO QUALITY. Buyer BEWARE!!!!
By Mikey
May 1, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Try the 30044 zipcode between Lawrenceville and Lilburn in the Bethesda Church Road area. There are some homes built in the late 80’s, 3 bedrooms, 2+baths, garage, some with basements that are affordable.
By Julie
May 1, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
She can buy the house next to me. It’s been vacant for 2 years, so I’d be willing to bet the seller might actually drop it below $150k. It’s an ugly color, but all us neighbors are willing to pick up a paintbrush if it means covering up that blue! Being in the Brookwood school cluster, housing costs - especially new subdivisions - are increasing. It might not be a bad investment (at least, I’m hoping not). The problem? It is on septic! Best of luck to your girlfriend.
By doinou
May 2, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this
Liberty Heights has houses in the $100 - $130 range. It is the oldest subdivision in Gwinnett County. The houses are modest country homes. Near Buford Highway, Jimmy Carter Blvd. I-85, I-285, the location can’t be beat. The neighborhood has street lights and sidewalks, and there are a lot of kids playing outside. The neighborhood continues to improve and rise in value.
By jd
May 2, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this
Affordable? Forget it! I moved into my home almost 5 years ago. At the time, I was the first subdivision on the right. Now it’s the 4th. Our tax assessment just went up $39,000 to make a total of $51,000 increase since I moved in.
By Joshua Jarvis
May 2, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
What’s your definition of affordable?
Winder, Loganville and Bethlehem will have the homes with the most bang for your bucks.
To doinou - Liberty Heights! Yowzer. That’s an awesome investment opportunity, but I wouldn’t want a single woman or a family here. As a Realtor I sold a house there last month. My sign was destroyed and the buyer bought my listing as well as a foreclosure that was vandalized before they moved in. Norcross & Doraville aren’t family friendly right now.
It’s funny to read these posts. You gotta remember folks, everything is relative!
Dacula Blog
By Josh Clark
May 2, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Julie, if Bill’s girlfriend isn’t interested in your neighbors house I might be. Could you email contact info for the seller?
Thanks, Josh josh@clarkhealth.com
By Josh Clark
May 2, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Katie, please email me with the details on your place in Norcross as I might be interested.
Josh josh@clarkhealth.com
By Josh Clark
May 2, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
Katie, please email me with the details on your place in Norcross as I might be interested.
josh@clarkhealth.com
By Sandy_G
May 2, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Huntington neighborhood near the intersection of Burns Road and Beaver Ruin Rd. John Weiland homes built in the early 1980’s on large lots with mature trees, neighborhood swim/tennis club, 22 acres of forested green space with a stream running through the middle of the neighborhood, 3 to 4 bedroom homes, quiet, friendly, stable neighborhood, 3 minutes from I-85. Connected to county sewer and water, underground utilities, street lights, and speed humps. Homes range from 150’s to 200’s. They may need a little updating, but their much better built homes than the new ones out there. We’ve lived there three years now and love it. Lots of young families in the neighborhood and we even have Rebecca Minor elementary school inside our neighborhood. We love it.
By Snellville Homeowner
May 2, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
Mine is available in Snellville for 175,900… And it includes all appliances (even the microwave), tons of upgrades (molding, tile flooring, upgraded lighting, upgraded appliances) throughout… I’m also paying up to 5k for closing costs…
Large fenced in backyard… Huge unfinished bonus room for extra space… great quiet area in Snellville.
By Katie
May 2, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
When did this become a realtor’s page? We aren’t trying to sell your homes, we’re offering advise. The most affordable homes are those located in unincorporated Gwinnett, in older established neighborhoods. The homes may be a bit outdated, but with established landscaping and better quality construction you will get far more house for your money. This way you can save enough money to make any necessary updates.
By Snellville Homeowner
May 2, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
I guess I should say I didn’t intend mine as a real estate ad. If you notice, I don’t have any contact info in mine anywhere.
Just giving an example of what I consider to be affordable housing in the area. If I had really expected to sell it here, I would have posted contact information. :)
By LJ
May 3, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Your girlfriend might have to settle for a house that is hooked up to a septic tank if it has the features/price she is looking for and she cannot find anything anywhere else. I prefer a septic/well setup myself mainly because 1) I know what I have; 2) I know I’m not drinking someone’s recycled waste water - no matter how well it is treated and 3) other than the occasional maintenance on the well pump/holding tank…no water bill! With the proper size septic tank and some common sense you will not have to have it serviced for years. While it is my personal preference, I can understand if someone does not wish to have a well as their water source.
Tell your girlfriend to not bother looking in the Good Hope area. A wonderful area to live (if you love the rural countryside) but the houses being built are in the high $200.000’s all the way up into the $600,000’s.
By Mimi Howrad-Huff
May 4, 2007 6:13 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure where your girlfriend is looking, but I have a lovely house in west Loganvillle (in Gwinnnett County) for sale. Three bedroom, two bath, large lot with vegetable gardens and easily affordable on a teacher’s salary. It has a septic tank that is serviced regularly and has never been a problem. We love the neighborhood but want to move to Hall county where our grandchildren are.
By Old Soldier
May 4, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
Bill: I have a novel solution to your girlfriend’s housing problem: Be a grown up, make a committment, and marry the lady. I’m sure the two of you can find a suitable house in a nice neighborhood. Pump your septic every three or four years and all will be well.
By LJ
May 4, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
Old Soldier…you’re the best! That was the best suggestion made so far.
By Solomon
May 5, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
There are down payment assistance options that can make a home in incorporated Gwinnett County affordable to first-time home buyers with credit scores above 620 on a teacher’s salary. One program offers mortgages at 100% on homes priced up to $250,000 at very low fixed interest rates and a $7,200 second mortgage (to those in education, law enforcement or healthcare with certain income restrictions) that acrues no interest and requires no payments unless the buyer refinances, sells or no longer uses the property as their primary residence. Those in other disciplines can get a second mortgage of $5,000 again with certain income restrictions. Yes, Katie, I’m a REALTORŪ and another client of mine just closed on an owner-occupied property this past Monday using that program. Another will get $15,000 to close in another county on June 30th.
By jenn
May 6, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Lanier Harbor Townhomes on the south end of Lake Lanier…130’s
By jenn
May 6, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
Lanier Harbor Townhomes on the south end of Lake Lanier…around the 130’s. Also a great investment…new townhomes to be built in the next couple of years that will start in the 200’s.
By JJ
May 7, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Jenn I want a place in Lanier Harbor so bad. Every time I drive by the townhomes, I tell my daughter that’s where I want to live when she goes to college. I drive by those townhomes all the time. I can’t seem to locate them on Realtor.com…..how can I find them?
Please, PLEASE let me know……thank you so much,,,,,
By JJ
May 7, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Jenn Where did you find a townhome at Lanier Harbor for $130,000? I just went to Realtor.com and found a 1 bedroom loft for $280,000.00?????
By Solomon
May 8, 2007 6:31 AM | Link to this
FMLS #3288534 at Lanier Harbor is listed at $114,500.
By linda
May 8, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this
don’t move anywhere near indian trail. good luck housing is high and so is gas.