Project builds new homes in Andrews

    Andrews – Construction has begun on a new housing project aimed at attracting homebuyers who want maintenance-free living in a rural community.
    “We know people are interested in moving to our area,” Realtor and developer Tom Rodeck said. “North Georgia and the west side of Murphy are booming. It’s just a matter of being able to reach [interested buyers] and draw people to Andrews.”
    Rodeck purchased 3.63 acres of land on Milton Mashburn Drive last year, then broke ground on the housing project about a month ago. He plans to build 16 single-family homes and nine townhouses in the complex. The homes are expected to each sell for around $150,000, and the housing complex has been tentatively named Rushing Waters.
    “There’s only been one
or two houses built in the city of Andrews in the last 10 years,” Rodeck said.
    “This project is important because the best way for
Andrews to build their tax base is with new homes in town. We’ve had people stopping by already, and we haven’t even begun any marketing.”
    While the exact size of each house is not ready to be advertised, the single-family homes are expected to have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The townhomes are expected to contain two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms.
    The housing complex will connect to the town’s water and sewer infrastructure, so residents will not have to maintain a septic system. The exterior of the homes will be covered in vinyl siding to eliminate the maintenance one might have if they were to build a log cabin outside the city limits. The property also boasts a creek in the rear of the complex, providing the rural charm of living in the mountains.
    “Those are positive things homebuyers won’t find anywhere else in the county,” Rodeck said.
    Since Andrews did not have the funds to build the infrastructure needed to provide water and sewer to future residents of the complex, the development covered those expenses. Lawmakers say that itself is an asset to the town.
    “We’ll own all the sewer lines once everything is installed, inspected and up to code,” Mayor James Reid said. “This development will increase our tax base and bring us new water and sewer customers.”
    Rodeck initially expected the entire development project to be completed within three years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic could affect that timeline.
    “We don’t know if we’ll have to adjust how many units to build at a time,
but we are moving forward,” he said. “Right now, we
want to get one up and
ready to show as a model. It might move a lot quicker than we think. We have already spoken to people about building something for them.
    “There is no place more beautiful than Andrews. This would be a good time to buy a house. The market is at the bottom, so the only way to go is up.”