Update on Centex, The Glen at Goose Creek, Ashburn

Here's an update on the Centex Homes community, The Glen at Goose Creek, which is located near the corner of Belmont Ridge Rd and Sycolin Rd in Ashburn, Virginia.

Centex is currently finishing up Phase 1 of the Glen at Goose Creek and, as of 4:00pm Friday (Jan 2), there are only 3 town homes left for sale in Phase 1. All three are "Annapolis" models, the largest model Centex offers in the Glen at Goose Creek community. The Annapolis model features,

• front entry 2 car garage
• 3 finished levels
• 2412 square feet of finished space
• 3 bedrooms
• 2.5 baths
• open floor plan
• large kitchen including huge center island with room for several bar stools
• large master bedroom with large dual walk-in closets
• tall ceilings througout
• prices start at $364,990
• delivery dates are July/August

Centex will not start selling Phase 2 until next winter. The first releases will be condos and the smaller model town homes (about 2000 square feet of finished space). The larger Annapolis models will not start selling until about the summer of 2010.

As with every community, there are pros and cons. Here's my take on the pros and cons of The Glen at Goose Creek:

Pros

• Good value based on square footage and standard upgrades of town homes
• Very convenient to Dulles Greenway and Belmont Ridge Rd
• Though there are no current ammenities in the community, there will be many built (including commercial and mixed-use) within the next 4 to 5 years
• Low HOA dues (about $74 per month) compared to other parts of Ashburn (e.g. Ashburn Village is up to $106 for town homes)
• Good potential upside for appreciation due to future development and ammenities

Cons

• No ammenities within community for 4 to 5 years
• Until ammenities are built, you'll have to join the Ashburn Farm or other HOA in Ashburn (prices vary)
• Not good for runners or bicyclists - you'd have to run up Sycolin and across or down Belmont Ridge Rd
• No guarantee when Phase 2 or the ammenities will be completed - the time lines are not set in stone

Note: Centex's new marketing campaign stresses that they're building very energy efficient and "green" town homes at a competitive price. Though this is true, many other builders are doing the same thing so don't limit your options to just Centex if you're "green" or want to save money on utilities by buying an energy efficient home.

If you'd like more information about this or any other new-construction community in the area, feel free to email or call me - danilo.bogdanovic (at) gmail (dot) com - 703.582.6900.

New Construction Single Family Homes Below $500K in Brambleton

It’s official…you can get now get a new construction home from Miller and Smith in Brambleton for less than $500K. And that’s with options. Miller and Smith has debuted their “Fanny Ward” single-family model beginning at $439,900. In addition, Miller & Smith is offering $30,000 in options and $15,000 in closing costs (if you use their lender and title company).

The "Fanny Ward" model is smaller than the popular "Rhapsody" model, but it’s still around 2,000 square feet on the upper two levels with another 800 finished square feet available in the basement. The home will be built on the current Rhapsody lots and has many of the same standard features (e.g. granite, hardwood, appliances).

This may be a great option for those who are either cost-sensitive and leaning toward a townhome and/or looking for more privacy than a townhome, but don’t need a big single family home.

Here are the plans for the first and second floor (click on images to enlarge):

If you’d like more information about Miller and Smith or any other builder and their available models and lots, feel free to email or call me - 703.582.6900.

Hat tip: Stephanie Lee