Endangered species: Where Atlanta's only new townhomes in $200Ks still exist

As the sub-$300,000 townhome has become an elusive animal around Atlanta, homebuyers on a budget who want more roominess than a condo, without the commitments of a standalone house, have had to make compromises. 

Fortunately, despite a decade of ballooning prices and a serious intown housing crunch, a handful of brand-new ATL townhomes in the $200,000s still exist, as the following three examples illustrate. 

While the locations might not be piping-hot, walkable intown districts like Old Fourth Ward or Midtown, each address falls within Atlanta city limits, located about 15 minutes, or less, from downtown with favorable traffic. Some cheaper options at the moment are under contract, but new listings in the $200,000s are being added as the communities develop.

Pretend you're a budget-conscious townhome seeker (if you aren't already) on the hunt in Atlanta. Which would you choose? 

...

OPTION 1:

Cheapest price listed: $296,150

Location: 2859 Regal Park NW Unit 2

Where that is: Due west of downtown, a stone’s throw over I-285, and 10 minutes from Smyrna.  

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square footage: 1,456  

Builder: Brock Built Homes

Perks: The developer is a trusted name on this side of town, and this under-construction community, The Park at Monroe, will have relatively quick access to everything from the Lee + White food and drink district to Truist Park and Sweetwater State Park. It’s described as a “hidden gem of a neighborhood.”

Drawbacks: The stigma of being (barely) OTP for some potential buyers. 

…

OPTION 2:

Cheapest price listed: $230,000

Location: 585 McWilliam Road SE Unit 13F

Where that is: A couple of minutes northeast of the airport, near Browns Mill Park, just south of Lakewood.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square footage: 1,327

Builder: Rockhaven Homes

Perks: Beyond the airport proximity and cheapest price on the list, The Park at Brown's Mill is filling out as a community of gated, open-plan townhomes with different technology packages that buyers can customize. Truly pristine forests are also nearby.  

Drawbacks: A dud Walk Score of 9. Plus, prices are rising.

…

OPTION 3: 

Cheapest price listed: $253,980

Location: 3185 Meadowstone Lane Unit 44

Where that is: Southwest Atlanta, just northwest of the airport near Greenbriar.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square footage: 1,422

Broker: KM Homes Realty

Perks: The under-construction Stoney Pointe community has partially brick exteriors in a lovely, rolling setting. Listings show stylish interiors with functional layouts and versatile back patios. Getting in and out of the airport would be a breeze.

Drawbacks: Single-car garages and a “car-dependent” Walk Score of 12 might not be the best bedfellows, and this corner of ITP ATL could use more retail attractions beyond the mall.

• Complex of all affordable housing planned near future BeltLine leg (Urbanize Atlanta)