Bob and Kathy Bannwart began looking for a home in the Southeast once they decided the price of heating oil and property taxes were too high in Connecticut. They also wanted to escape the work associated with harsh winter weather — shoveling show and removing ice from the roof — and move closer to their daughter in Florida.
The Bannwarts searched four years to find the right environment and home plan to make the move. Bob, 75, and Kathy, 57, who worked together 32 years as U.S. representatives for a German manufacturing company, chatted about their home at Windsong Properties’ Bel-Aire community in Powder Springs.
Q: What were you looking for in a home?
Kathy: We wanted a 55-plus community with a ranch (with multiple bedrooms on the main floor). We wanted something quiet, not a huge resort. This is a mellow neighborhood with a peaceful feeling, and we fell in love with it. Once we met some of the neighbors, that cemented the decision.
Q: What was your search like?
Bob: We looked up and down Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina for years and kept coming back to Georgia. A few years ago, a sales agent took us to Seven Hills in Dallas, Ga., where we saw some of the houses that Windsong was building, and we liked the style of the homes there. We kept an eye on Windsong’s websites and happened to come back down here and look again when they started building in the Bel-Aire community.
Q: What did you like about the floor plan?
Bob: It’s the exact floor plan we wanted, with all of the bedrooms on one level. We also like the storage space, basement, and the way they lay everything out with the storage in mind.
Q: What is the lifestyle of the community?
Kathy: When we moved here, there were 12 homes and the original owners took us in like we had been here forever. There’s a relaxed way of living — there’s always someone to call to do this or that, but they’re not in your face. It’s like an extended family. We’ve started bowling and delivering Meals on Wheels. Bob was always active with walking, so we go on extended hikes and bike rides with friends in the community.
Q: How was this different from previous purchases?
Bob: We had two homes before this, and this was much smoother. Everyone was on the ball, and everything fell into place. On the day of the sale, there were no problems and we were done in less than two hours.
Q: Do you have a tip for senior buyers?
Kathy: It can get discouraging. We knew we wanted to move to Georgia but we didn’t know why — something kept drawing us here. We looked at communities all over the metro Atlanta area and never found the right thing. But when you find the right place, you’ll know it. We almost said “forget it” during our last visit here, but it happened. Have patience and don’t give up.
At a Glance
Bob and Kathy Bannwart’s home in Powder Springs has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,200 square feet. They purchased it in December 2012. Homes in Windsong Properties’ Bel-Aire community start in the $220,000s.
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