If you’re looking for a new home in a great neighborhood but can’t find exactly what you want, you may have overlooked Bailey Estates.
The community of new homes offers a rare combination of benefits that make it a great place to live for young families and retirees alike.
Many homebuyers haven’t discovered Bailey Estates because it’s off the beaten path on a barely traveled road at the northern edge of historic High Springs.
The seclusion is part of the charm.
“We see deer every day,” said homeowner Justin Byrd. “That’s part of the beauty of living in a small town next to a nature preserve.”
In addition to deer, Bailey Estates’ homeowners often see wild turkeys, which live in the woods –— 150 acres of land set aside for conservation — next to the community.
Justin and his wife, Katherine, bought in Bailey Estates right after their wedding.
“We couldn’t find anything that was built as well as the Bailey Estate homes,” Justin said.
Dave and Teresa Granacher were at another stage of life when they chose Bailey Estates; they were moving to Florida after retiring from a small town in Michigan.
“We wanted a quiet neighborhood with a quality of life we could be proud of,” Dave said.
“As soon as we saw Bailey Estates, we bought.
“Our home is nicely finished, with granite countertops, crown molding and high ceilings. We’re close to restaurants and CVS, yet we’re away from the mayhem of the Newberry Road area. Plus, we got all this at a price the average Joe can afford.”
On top of everything else, the Granachers loved the personal attention of the developer, Jack Londono, who assured them his individual attention — even long after the sale.
He has been true to his word. He often responds personally when Granacher and other owners need help or advice.
Londono is dedicated to providing the features of luxury homes, while also keeping the neighborhood affordable.
Features in the homes include granite countertops and premium lighting packages. Oversized baseboards and wainscot in the dining area are available as upgrades.
Jerry Lerner, the preferred builder in Bailey Estates, can help buyers modify one of his existing floor plans to their needs, or he can build a home from a floor plan provided by the buyer.
Interior designer Sue Tosi helps buyers put their own touches on their homes.
“I provide an extra set of eyes to help them meet their needs, their ideas and sensibilities,” she said. “I research brands and prices so that people can transform a room into something that they will enjoy for many years to come — within any budget.”
The homes range in size from 1,600 to 2,000 square feet, with prices starting at $150,000.
In addition to typical financing, Bailey Estates offers USDA mortgages provided through Chris Doering Mortgage. If a family’s income is within the USDA guidelines, it can buy with no down payment.
Both BBVA Compass Bank and Alarion Bank provide construction-to-permanent financing, which allows the loan a new homeowner uses while the home is being built to convert into a permanent mortgage.
Utilities are affordable, with electricity provided by Duke Power, cable and Internet supported by Windstream Communications and sewer and water run by the City of High Springs. All utility lines are underground.
Bailey Estates features two miles of walking, biking and jogging trails through its wooded preservation area.
The playground has been added recently, and a picnic pavilion will be built soon.
“We’re continually enhancing our sense of community,” Londono said.
Homes have been built on only 30 of the 198 lots in the development.
“Now is a great time to buy, while you have a wide number of lots to pick from,” Londono said.
Bailey Estates sells itself, said Ed MacKinnon, a longtime High Springs resident who is an agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Trend Realty.
“I was standing by the playground with a man who was trying to make up his mind about buying. A herd of 12 deer came up,” MacKinnon said. “Right then, he made up his mind to buy.”
Close to the City, but With Small-Town Appeal
If the key in real estate is “location, location, location,” then Bailey Estates is a great place to buy a home, said developer Jack Londono.
“Where else can you be 20 minutes from most locations in Gainesville, including all three hospitals, yet live next to a nature preserve and be part of a small town,” he said.
“Kids can walk to the High Springs Community School, which is at the edge of our development, and you can walk downtown to restaurants, antique shops, historic buildings, the Priest Theater and the High Springs Community Theater.”
In addition, High Springs is close to O’Leno State Park, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Poe Springs and Ginnie Springs. Nearby are the Santa Fe River, the Ichetucknee River and the Suwannee River.
The development is also ideal for people who work at Progress Corporate Park or at the nearby Walmart, Sysco or Dollar General distribution centers, Londono said.
Bailey Estates is midway between Gainesville and Lake City, making it ideal for residents who work in both cities.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Trend Realty represents Bailey Estates and operates a sales center there. The staff includes Ed MacKinnon and Nestor Perez.
For more information, go to bailey-estates.com or call 352-577-0105.