Reasonably priced townhomes in Charlotte? Ultra rare and in-demand

A few weeks ago, I wrote a story about neighborhoods where you can buy a newly built home for less than $250,000. Unsurprisingly, they were pretty much all on the outskirts of town. A lot of you said you didn’t even really consider those neighborhoods as in Charlotte.

One reader challenged me to take a look at townhouses. Certainly, you should be able to trade the privacy and romanticism of a single-family detached house for a shorter commute and more urban locale at a similar price — right?

Turns out that the market is nearly as devoid for townhouses cheaper than $350,000. And when the rare development comes along that includes them, these homes are sold while they’re still bare patches of dirt.

Most of the new townhouse developments within a few miles of Uptown are subject to the same price inflation as the single-family home market. They bend toward the luxury and the expensive.

Underway now:

• $800,000 townhomes underway by Midnight Diner.
• $500,000 to $700,000 townhomes coming to Tremont
• $650,000 townhomes coming to Elizabeth
• $450,000 townhomes in South End.
• $400,000 townhomes in Wesley Heights and in NoDa.

Expect the ones being built at Montford Park to be similarly priced.

To find townhomes sub-$250,000 that were built in the last decade, you’re generally looking at Whitehall and University City. Both are perfectly nice areas, but not the close-in experience so many young professionals are looking for.

A diligent buyer might be able to find a deal on a resale closer in — but good luck.

Here are 5 new communities where you can find a reasonably priced, recently built townhome close to the center city.

1) Helix South End

This is a prime example of what people are looking for. No wonder they got snapped up.

Address: 2000 Hawkins Street
Number of units: 29
Number priced below $350,000: 4
Price range: $215,000 (1 bedroom, 955 square feet) to $460,000 (3 bedroom/2,210 square feet)
Status: The cheap ones are all under contract. Maybe financing will fall through on a sale (doubt it).
Website

2) Brightwalk

This is the mixed-income development north of Uptown. Renderings via Cal Atlantic Homes.

Address: 2511 Double Oaks Road
Number of styles priced below $350,000: 4
Price range: $255,400 (3 bedroom/2,229 square feet) to $274,400 (3 bedroom/2,213 square feet)
Status: Good news is that there are some available. Bad news is you’ll have to build them from scratch.
Website<br/>Website 2

3) Peridoe on the Greenway

Renderings via Peridoe on the Greenway

Address: 720 E 15th Street
Number of units: 14
Number priced below $350,000: 14
Price range: $310,000 to $350,000 (3 bedroom/1,470 square feet)
Status: Sold out as of October. But again, maybe something will come available.
Website

4) City Park

Photo via Ryan Homes

Address: 2104 Arbor Loop Drive
Number priced below $350,000: 4 styles
Price range: $239,000 (3 bedroom/1,584 square feet) to $269,000 (3 bedroom/2,332 square feet)
Status: Available
Website

5) Park South Station

Photo via MyTownhome.com

Address: 1853 Royal Gorge Avenue
Number of units: 15
Number priced below $350,000: 15
Price range: $239,000 (2 bedroom/1,789 square feet) to $344,900 (3 bedroom/2,673 square feet)
Status: Available
Website