When Debbie Brown saw the Tudor Branch lot, she fell in love. There was only one problem.
"The builder said there was a contract (on the lot) and it wouldn't fall through," she said.
Fortunately for Mrs. Brown, it did.
She and her husband, Ray, were living in Virginia at the time. Mrs. Brown is from the Augusta area and wanted to retire in Columbia County.
When their real estate agent called and told them to send a check right away because the original deal had fallen through, they didn't hesitate.
Though they didn't dislike the homes already built in the neighborhood, Mr. Brown had found an open floor plan on the Internet.
"We didn't want everything to be compartmentalized," Mr. Brown said.
The open space is perfect at Thanksgiving when the entire family visits. People can be in separate rooms yet still be able to interact, he said.
Unlike many of the homes in Tudor Branch, everything is on one floor. Mr. Brown said 18 years of climbing stairs at their previous home was enough.
The home overlooks one of the ponds and a gazebo.
A wall of windows in the dining area and the porch provides the perfect spots for viewing the creatures that visit. Deer have been seen in the backyard.
"We have all kinds of wildlife," she said.
THE FAMILY: Ray and Debbie Brown
THE HOUSE: 2,850-square-foot custom-built home with three bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms
COMING ATTRACTIONS: The Browns have lived in the house for about five years, and they still have a few projects in mind. Mr. Brown said he'd like to landscape the front more. "I would like to put a solar fountain and some Japanese maples out," he said. "I always have different ideas to change or update."
IT'S A FACT: Mrs. Brown said she loves gardening and can still spend a lot of time outside, even after a long day elsewhere.
What: Tudor Branch
WHERE: Off Columbia Road in Grovetown
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Construction began fall 2002
FIRST HOME SOLD: May 2003
NUMBER OF HOMES: 323
ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION PLANNED? Yes
SCHOOL ZONES: Lewiston Elementary, Columbia Middle and Grovetown High schools
AMENITIES: Sidewalks, club-house, swimming pool, paved nature trails, ponds, gazebo, fishing pier and 140 acres of green space and wildlife preserve
SHOPPING: Wal-Mart and Food Lion within three miles, 10 minutes from shops and restaurants in Evans
TRADITIONS: New-resident welcome packets, community pool parties, spring/fall yard sales, fall festival, movie night under the stars, Halloween decoration contest and lighting display contest at Christmas
IT'S A FACT: Best Selling Com-munity in 2005 and '07 from the Sales and Marketing Council, Metro Augusta Homebuilders Association Inc.
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