Townhome TIme

Let’s face it, East Cooper has a high price tag, especially for working-class individuals and families.

Finding a new residence in Mount Pleasant for less than $200,000 can be difficult. But it's not out of the question, according to national builder D.R. Horton. It is constructing 28 townhomes on Park West Boulevard that in some cases beat – albeit just barely – the $200,000 figure. The dwellings are priced from $199,900 to $244,000.

The neighborhood, Mansfield at Park West, has attracted interest and a few buyers since sales started in November. Three properties have sold already.

“The demographics have been all over the board, elderly, single mom, couples,” says Lisa Allen, agent with Park West Realty at Mansfield at Park West.

Attractive features include Mansfield’s location in the upscale Park West neighborhood. It is close to the community’s amenities center, which has two swimming pools and six lighted tennis courts and is two miles from the town’s recreation complex and primary, elementary and middle schools.

Mansfield is split among three buildings. There are two models, the 1,402-square-foot Hobcaw priced at $199,900 and 1,814-square-foot Fenwick at $244,000. Twenty of the 28 units are the Fenwick design. Both floor plans are in D.R. Horton’s Renaissance Series.

“It’s a continuation of what we have been doing – target the buyer in this market from an affordability standpoint.” says Josh Meier, broker-in-charge and sales manager for D.R. Horton in the Charleston area.

Depending on the floor plan, the townhomes include three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths or four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. “There’s a lot of natural light,” Allen says.

Each unit has a living room, breakfast nook and kitchen. The Hobcaw comes standard with a first-floor “flex” room, while the flex room can replace a bedroom in the Fenwick. The open kitchen showcases black appliances and staggered, 32-inch and 42-inch maple cabinets. All units have one-car garages with parking behind the townhomes.

An interesting feature not found in many townhomes is a side courtyard with patio and a door to a small mudroom. “That’s huge,” Allen says. Landscaped yards front and back are anchored by thick pine straw beds.

Master bedrooms are upstairs in both plans; the Fenwick has an additional owner’s suite on the first floor. There are first-floor porches and a balcony off the master suite in the Fenwick design.

Other features found in both designs are fiber-cement siding, smooth ceilings, satin nickel knobs and other hardware, 50-gallon high-efficiency water heater, energy-efficient vinyl windows with screens and ventilated shelves.

Upgrades are available, such as hardwood floors throughout, garden tub in the master bath and granite countertops in the kitchen.

Allen says that there is still time for people to meet the April 30 deadline to sign a contract on a home and close by June 30 for the federal $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit and a similar $6,500 credit for repeat purchasers.

“For the first-time homebuyer, Mount Pleasant and specifically Park West, we want to offer something affordable,” Meier says.

To get to Mansfield at Park West from downtown Charleston, cross the Ravenel Bridge, staying in the left lanes onto U.S. Highway 17 North. Follow Highway 17 for close to 10 miles to the Park West entrance. Turn left on Park West Boulevard. Follow it around three traffic circles and pass the amenities center. The complex is less than a mile ahead on the left.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com

Neighborhood: Mansfield at Park West

Location: Charleston County

Phone: (843) 209-9902

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday

Web site: www.drhorton.com