Let’s face it. Somehow, over the last few years, we’ve become a nation of do-it-yourselfers.

We “trade spaces” and watch in amazement as bands of would-be renovators travel the country by tour bus giving “extreme makeovers” to homes on primetime television. Recall, too, it was a pre-trial Martha who built a multimedia empire at least in part by showing the masses how to cultivate their inner green thumbs.

Yet the whir of power saws and distinctive banging of hammers cutting through the morning silence near Lake Decatur this season is not coming from your typical weekend warriors. Instead, the sounds herald Country Club Villas Condominiums — a new neighborhood under construction where someone else meets the property owner’s every need.

According to real estate professionals, local interest in condominiums is on the rise, due primarily to the “extras” that typically accompany a purchase. Condominium units are owned, versus rented, and can exist in buildings with multiple dwellings. Most provide basic on-site property maintenance, such as mowing, planting, and snow removal. Sizes range from one-bedroom units at 500 to 600 square feet, to larger units totaling 1,600 square feet. With several thousand square feet, some condos even rival the space of traditional homes.

Amenities also vary according to the unit’s size, cost, and layout. At the Country Club Villas development, for example, each unit’s abundant glass offers an unencumbered view of Lake Decatur. Inside, units feature hardwood floors, ten-foot ceilings, fireplaces, and bathroom Jacuzzis, as well as pre-wired security and unit-wide audio connections.

“The big deal is the ease of living out here,” says Villas Condominiums developer Tony Romano, adding that some owners have second homes elsewhere. “If you want dinner, or if you want to play golf or go to the pool, you walk across the street to the country club.”

“You can come and hang out here for a month, and if you want to go somewhere else, you lock the door and you leave,” he says.

Local realty company Brinkoetter & Associates has sold and developed condominiums since 1979, and currently is associated with the Woodland Condominiums on East William Street Road, and Shorewood Condominiums just east of the William Street Bridge. According to Carla Brinkoetter, company owner and president, such units still represent a small percentage of the housing market, due in part to lack of availability.

The local market for condos has increased in the last 5-10 years, as Decatur’s population ages, Brinkoetter says. Seniors want to minimize or eliminate the cost of maintaining a single family home, and to maximize security. There’s also been an increase in the numbers of young professionals who don’t have time for property maintenance, yet want the benefits of home ownership.

“I think most people assume that condos, especially in Decatur, are more in demand with the 55-plus age group,” Brinkoetter says. “While there is a strong demand here, I have found that younger singles, as well as young families, are becoming increasingly interested in the condominium lifestyle.

“Just as the 55-plus age group likes to be around people with similar interests, young professionals also look for a housing environment that caters to their lifestyles and needs,” she adds.

Seven years ago, Decatur resident Tonya Sanders, 37, knew she wanted to purchase a new home. But she also knew she didn’t want to deal with mowing a lawn or shoveling a driveway. “I wanted to move past renting, but I wanted to own something without the hassles of traditional ownership,” says Sanders, who appreciates her condominium complex’s sense of security.

Sanders adds that her purchase was as much about her financial future as it was about living space. “If I decide I want something else, I don’t think I’ll have trouble finding a buyer,” she says. “This was a good investment for me.”

Over the years, Decatur has been known for its spacious lots and expansive homes, particularly on the city’s west end. But as the local housing stock ages and replacement housing becomes necessary, the city’s goal has been to encourage a greater range of housing types.

A recent study commissioned by the city indicated the downtown area could accommodate an additional 60 to 70 housing units. Lea and Doug Stukins of the Lucas Company recently purchased the former Good’s Furniture building on downtown’s north Main Street, and plan to convert the upper floors to apartments or condominiums.

City Manager Steve Garman agrees that downtown is a prime candidate for further condominium development. According to Garman, officials currently are working to create an environment that combines housing, retail, commercial, and entertainment options.

“The effort we are undergoing downtown is all part of the total quest for complementary uses,” Garman says. “You will always get the question of, ‘which comes first-the housing or the business/commercial development?’
“But the truth is, you need both.”

When the city manager doesn’t require his assistance, Billy Tyus often can be spotted at live concerts, bowling alleys, and movie theaters.