Homes available in new gated community in Worcester
Business name: White Birch Commons
Location: 1 Hillsboro Rd., Worcester
Real Estate agent: Fran Silva
Contact information: 508-208-9371
Website: www.whitebirchcommons.com
What is White Birch Commons?
White Birch Commons is “a gated private community of 70 detached single-family homes in a condominium association. What sets them apart is that the homes and their exclusive lots are maintained by the homeowner, thus keeping the association fee at a low $68 per month. The fee covers streets, trash removal and upkeep of the common areas, which include the 80 per cent of the 18.5-acre site still in a natural state,” said Fran Silva, the real estate broker representing the development.
“We expect all of the single-family homes to be sold by early 2018. Homes are available now, and we are closing on them every month.”
Each entrance to the development will be gated and the development will be fenced for privacy and security, she noted.
When can the homes be viewed?
White Birch Commons holds an open house on most Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., and Silva is available to show the homes by appointment other times.
What are the single-family homes like?
“The homes range from 1,700 sq. ft. to over 2,500 sq. ft. Most are three bedrooms, two and a half baths, plus a finished bonus room. They include one- or two-car garages. Each yard is individual, and the homeowner maintains the yard after we put in the landscaping. Homeowners can have pets and can fence in their back yard,” said Silva, who has been marketing large developments for over 30 years.
Silva helps design the homes under construction based on her knowledge of what buyers want and need.
Prices start at $315,900 to just under $400,000, based on the square footage of the finished area. Most of the homes now under construction are two stories, “but we are seeing a high demand for ranches, so we will be doing ranches as well in our next phase of construction. We are taking reservations for that second half of the development now.”
What features are standard in these homes?
“The kitchens in these homes are absolutely fantastic, equipped with all stainless steel appliances, and buyers can have their choice of colors and styles for the granite countertops and cabinetry. The homes feature hardwood floors throughout the first floor and include at least two and a half tiled baths.
“There are full basements, some with walkouts, and these basements can be finished for even more space,” Silva noted. “Two heating and air conditioning zones are included, and the homes have natural gas heat. Each home has a front porch and back deck. Major upgrades available are gas fireplaces, finished basements, and a larger deck.
“The developer owns his own building supply company, which allows this development to offer standard features that normally are upgrades, hard to find in new construction.”
Who is buying here?
“Over half of the homeowners are affiliated with UMass Medical and UMass medical school, just five minutes away. We’re centrally located and close to all major highways, with Route 290 just three minutes away.”
Is financing available?
“We arrange financing if buyers don’t have it. We work with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. We also do VA and MHFA financing.”
A 100-unit apartment condominium complex is projected to start construction in mid-2018 as part of the development. Units will be one bedroom, two bedrooms and two bedrooms with a loft, with garages and storage areas.