Luckily for them, three home builders are offering new one-level villas in Sumner County.
"A lot of people don't want a lot of square footage but they want high-end comfort," said Jesse Hubling, sales manager for Dalamar Homes. The company is building 18 villas in the Berry Hill Villas neighborhood, located at 58 Cobbler Circle in Hendersonville. Prices start in the high $200,000s.
That's below the average home price in Sumner County, which was $305,724 in July, according to the Williamson County Association of Realtors, which tracks prices across the region.
David Weekley Homes recently introduced a new line of one-story villas in Hendersonville's Durham Farms community, 351 Azalea Circle in Hendersonville. Prices begin in the high $200,000s.
Beginning in September, Goodall Homes is launching construction of a new phase of villas at Millstone, 447 Carriage House Lane in Hendersonville. Prices have not been announced.
Goodall also offered villas at the Villas of Foxland Crossing, 2109 Sullivan St. in Gallatin, and other locations
"We are currently sold out of villas in Sumner County, and there's always a demand," said Todd Reynolds, vice president of Goodall Homes.
Villas are a popular alternative to a traditional single-family house, he said.
"Villas feel like a regular house, something people are familiar with," said Reynolds.
Goodall, Weekely Homes and Dalamar build their villas in pairs, an arrangement that allows them to have smaller lots, and lower prices, than many single family homes. Placing attached garages between them ensures privacy, said Craig Neal, lead sales consultant in Durham Farms for David Weekley Homes.
Villas are increasingly popular with home buyers. Dalamar has just seven remaining in Berry Hill. In Durham Farms, Weekley Homes began making sales as soon as its villas were introduced.
"One-story homes are in huge demand," said Neal.
Villas can be a bit smaller than many single-family homes, but they aren't cramped. In Durham Farms, David Weekley Homes offers villas ranging from 1,734 to 1,923 square feet. They have from three to five bedrooms.
Dalamar offers one-level villas in Berry Hill with about 1,700 square feet of living space. A larger floor plan is also available, with 2,500 square feet of space and an upstairs bedroom, bath and bonus area.
Goodall's villas range from about 1,600 square feet for a one-level home to 2,100 square feet for a villa with an optional upstairs bonus area, said Reynolds.
Villas are especially popular with people looking for a lock-and-leave, maintenance-free lifestyle, including downsizers as well as grandparents who may have homes in different locations and spend just part of the year in Sumner County.
Villas are growing in popularity with younger age groups, as well, said Hubling.
"Recently, we're getting more couples and singles who don't want as many bedrooms," he said.
