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It was 13 years ago, and I can still remember that day. I had just turned 11 when Mom and Dad told me we were moving to Richmond Hill,” Jared Grant shared with me.

Lauren Finch was much younger when she moved to Richmond Hill. “My mom and dad moved from Savannah, when I was 5 years old. Our first home was in the Mulberry Subdivision; a few years later I remember them talking about building a new home on a lot overlooking the marsh in Buckhead.”

Neither these youngsters nor their parents knew then, their move to Buckhead would one day create a marriage between neighbors. George and Kay Grant moved from Hinesville in 1996, and purchased a home on the marsh in the Buckhead subdivision. Terry and Brucie Finch constructed their new home in 2000, just three doors down from the Grant’s.

Lauren and Jared are just two of the many young people who are traveling down the road toward adulthood in our many neighborhoods. As youngsters, their lives were carefree, playing in the streets and the neighborhood parks, and living through what seemed to be a never ending life of attending school. They too are learning how fast years can pass. Jared and Lauren left the nest and went on to higher education. Almost before their parents could realize it, their grown children returned home, got married, bought a home and started their own family. Does this sound familiar? Lauren and Jared are just one of the newlywed couples that have chosen to build a new home in the cottage neighborhood of Richmond Hill Plantation. They are referred to as First Time Home Buyers.

Who’s your neighbor? He/she will probably be in one of the four categories discussed below:

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS

Young married couples, like Lauren and Jared Grant, are faced with important decisions from the onset of marriage. Where to live is the first major decision they will make as newlyweds. There was a time when it was popular for young couples to live in an apartment complex. Today, there are more options available, their higher educations usually mean larger salaries, therefore, they can rent a house or they are blessed with parents who have the willingness and means to assist them in making that first investment.

Interest rates on long-term mortgages are nearing record lows; 30-year fixed mortgages are now below 5%. Many builders offer incentive purchasing programs, such as paying closing costs and even buying down rates.

As an example, newly married couples could probably expect to pay $900 to $1,500 per month in rent. Synergy Designer Homes, building homes for first time buyers in Richmond Hill Plantation, shared with us that they have three and four bedroom homes that can be purchased for less than the typical rent payment. New lending programs established by FHA allow buyers to finance up to 96.5%. Recently, Congress passed a law to create an income tax refund in the form of a tax credit of $8,000 for first time home buyers. When it’s all added up gifts from parents, incentives from builders and new programs from the government - young couples have a lot of avenues for assistance in purchasing their first home.

Put down $7,000 or $8,000 cash and let the builder pick up the closing costs. Consider buying prior to December 31st. By doing so, you will receive the $8,000 tax credit passed recently by the federal government to stimulate first time home buying.

“If you purchase a home in the $200,000 price range and qualify for a fixed rate of 4.75%, you could expect your payment to be around $1,050 per month,” says Lanae Wimberly, Mortgage Originator for Bryan Bank & Trust.

You need to also factor in property taxes, insurance and homeowner’s association fees (if applicable). A good budget for these costs would be $250 per month. For $1,300 per month, you are now a first time home buyer in the $200,000 price range. Congratulations!

Synergy Designer Homes, like most building companies, has a trained staff and lenders on-call that can walk you through these important facts. For Jared and Lauren Grant, time will pass and their family will grow. They will most likely become buyers of the second category- the move-up buyer.

THE MOVE-UP BUYER

These buyers are also younger families, typically in their early 30s. There’s a good chance they have at least two children, probably in elementary school, and both have advanced in their careers. They have been in the same house for 8 to 10 years and need more room. They are probably looking for a larger yard for play, gardening, maybe even a pool. They’re probably looking for 2,500 to 3,000 square feet of heated space.

For the past two years, these buyers have also been on the sidelines. Once the government starts to stimulate the first time home buyer, these families needing larger homes will be able to sell to a fresh group of home buyers. This process is just now gaining momentum. Look around your neighborhood and see who is buying the homes that are for sale.

Local builders are preparing for these move-up buyers. Most builders’ floor plans can be expanded to accommodate the growing families. Richmond Hill Plantation has three neighborhoods for you, Madison and Habersham on the south side, and Hickory Hill on the north side. The decision of picking a lot and builder are very simple, do you want larger yards or small yards?

These same neighborhoods will also become home to our third category of buyers-the downsizing buyer.

THE DOWNSIZING BUYER

These buyers did what Americans have done for decades. Salaries increased, the size of the families grew and their houses got bigger and bigger. Every family member wanted their own bedroom and bathroom, dad and mom wanted office space, the kids wanted a playroom plus there was a guest room with its own private bathroom and the two-car garages expanded to three and four car garages. These homes are typically 3,500 to 5,000 square-foot homes with something to satisfy everyone.

But time passes quickly and before long it’s just mom and dad left in a monster-sized home. They’re probably in their 50s or 60s and are finding that taking care of the yard can be an entire weekend’s ordeal. And they haven’t been upstairs in six months.

If you find yourselves in this situation, it finally dawns on you, “Why are we living in such a huge home?” I have the answer for you. You could sell the big monster house to one of the families moving up in size and buy or build a 2,000 square-foot home, which will still give you more room than you really need.

The team of builders at Richmond Hill Plantation are currently building homes suited just for you, overlooking Sterling Links Golf Course. Most people living in a golf community do not play golf; however, it’s the long vista views that capture their minds and hearts. Late evenings spent looking at the green grass, watching the birds flying and becoming hypnotized by the colors of the sunset (while the grill is warming up). All of these benefits can add years to your life. It doesn’t get much better than this. Ask Jake and Jackie Mullins.

When the Mullins say they “downsized,” I think they meant to say the yard is much smaller. The new house is still larger than they really need. Jake left a large two-acre lot and traded it for a courtyard. Now he plays golf rather than work in the yard. What a life! Hopefully, we will all be there one day.

Both families moving up and those downsizing will probably be neighbors at Richmond Hill Plantation, and that would be great! Jake and Jackie are not ready for a seniors community. They still enjoy the laughter of children playing in the street.

THE NEW GUYS IN TOWN

In our community, there are many Jared and Lauren Grant stories, however, many of the families moving into our community are from another city. For most of them, their jobs brought them to the area from far away, but some have moved only a few miles from places like Hinesville or Savannah. They all want the same thing: Richmond Hill’s quality of life.

While many of our area’s larger companies have temporarily halted expansion, the United States Army, one of our largest local employers, is bringing in thousands of professionals and expanding operations on nearby bases. Today’s military requires top professionals to protect our freedom. Hundreds of officers and their families are touring our neighborhoods and will become our neighbors over the next few years as Fort Stewart builds the Fifth Brigade. To help manage this large expansion, nearly 1,100 Civil Service jobs will be created, which will bring in hundreds of more families that need housing.

Why Richmond Hill? Like the highest ratings given in the hotel industry, there are some who call Richmond Hill a “FIVE-STAR COMMUNITY.”

* CONVENIENCE - A short distance to the airport, downtown Savannah, the Savannah Mall and St. Joseph’s/Candler hospital. A major factor to also consider is that Richmond Hill is mid-way between Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.

* GREAT SCHOOLS - One of Georgia’s best public school systems.

* LOW PROPERTY TAXES - Compared to our neighboring counties, we have one of the lowest millage rates and largest discounts for homestead deductions, especially for our retirees.

* LIVE - WORK – PLAY - Over the years, our community has grown, offering employment opportunities, quality lifestyles and recreation for all its citizens.

* WATERFRONT COMMUNITY- Easy access to the many rivers and barrier island beaches. Lots of offshore fishing, crabbing in creeks and wonderful cruising to be experienced.

Our country has begun to recover from the slow down in the economy last year. Local bankers, builders and realtors are filling the orders of several hundred new home buyers who are moving into the area due to the military expansion. Hopefully, as the economy recovers and gains strength, local companies will begin hiring again.

Go Economy, Go! So, when you are asked the question, “Who’s your neighbor?” the answer is simple. It can be just about anyone from any walk of life, from engineers to police officers to school teachers to retirees. But no matter what category they may be in - be a good neighbor!

We welcome you to visit Richmond Hill Plantation. We have the perfect home for just about everyone. Visit the model homes in the Cottonham cottage section or visit Hickory Hill by entering the north entrance off Timber Trail. Preview the new homes overlooking Sterling Links Golf Course by entering the south entrance off Port Royal Road, behind Publix.