5 Spots to Have Fun in the Sun in Chattanooga

There may still be some ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID, but as life goes on and everyone adjusts to their own new normal, the outdoors still provide a safe haven for responsibly enjoy family time or physically-distanced interactions with friends. Luckily, Chattanooga offers a number of beautiful areas that are traffic free and a great way to get your immune-boosting Vitamin D!

The River Walk
Enterprise South
Greenway Farms
Audobon Acres
Sculpture Fields

5 Spots to Have Fun in the Sun in Chattanoogagmwebservices2020-07-02T16:05:43+00:00

Why buying New is the “new normal”

These are unprecedented times, but that doesn’t mean your plans to become a homeowner, upgrade to a larger home, or downsize to a home that makes more sense for your lifestyle have to be put on hold. In the Chattanooga market, we’ve seen a drop in inventory across the board, but here at Pratt Home Builders, business is booming. Here are a few reasons why we think new construction is the new normal.

Apprehensive Sellers

The bottom has fallen out of area inventory, and it’s understandable! Sellers are choosing to protect themselves and their families during this uncertain time as experts continue to learn more about COVID-19, but this means there are fewer resale opportunities for hopeful buyers to choose from. Many sellers don’t want to invest in remodeling and updating their homes not knowing the future. Others do not feel comfortable allowing buyers and Realtors inside their homes for the sake of their health. Job uncertainly, for some, is also contributing to putting plans on hold.

New Homes

When you buy new construction, you don’t have to worry about the history of the home. It’s new, fresh and clean! Whether you purchase a market home or choose to build, it’s sanitized and ready for you.

Customer Warranty

Little expenses can add up quickly in a resale. Sometimes these make sense when they help increase the value of the home, but other times these expenses are needed to simply maintain and prevent deterioration. The great thing about buying new construction with Pratt Home Builders is that we provide a 10 year warranty. That’s 10 years of additional expenses you get to save. Not only do you save on the materials, but you save on the labor since our warranty department will handle any repairs. It’s great peace of mind in uncertain times.

Built-in equity

When you build, you put down your deposit but you get to lock in a purchase price months before you close! This means you basically lock in a home at a lower rate than it will be by the time you close! In this dynamic market, you can most likely expect the value to continue to rise – which means in all probability, your home will be worth more when you close than you actually paid for it.

Desirable locations

So, if you’re still confident about your work, want to take advantage of lower interest rates, less competition, and essentially make money when you buy in this dynamic market, it is still a great time to consider homeownership.

Why buying New is the “new normal”gmwebservices2020-05-30T20:58:16+00:00

Guest Editorial: Tools for Transferring Your House to Your Loved Ones By Attorney Amanda N. Jelks

For most people, our homes are amongst our most valuable assets. We invest a huge amount of time, resources, and energy into paying for our home and maintaining it. More importantly, we make precious memories that will last a lifetime. When people think about the legacy they want to leave their loved ones, their home is usually at the top of the list of things to protect.

There are different estate planning tools that can be used to make sure the people you select ultimately receive your home. The most common tools used are wills, trusts, and deeds. We generally advise against adding someone as an owner on the deed to your real estate, because doing so almost always makes your real estate available to their creditors, heirs, and spouse. It is also usually not ideal to transfer your house to someone else making them the 100% owner of the house while you are still alive, because that could interfere with your ability to qualify for Medicaid to assist with paying for long-term care and you completely lose control of what happens to your house.

A will or a trust are generally the better tools to use to transfer your real estate to loved ones after you pass away. The primary difference between the two options is whether or not your loved ones have to go through some form of probate to transfer the house to their names or list it for sale. Wills must go through probate court, despite the common myth that says otherwise. The word “probate” actually means “to prove a will” and, hence, the will doesn’t mean anything until a judge says it does. The issue with probate is that it is lengthy (at least one year in Tennessee and can be much longer in Georgia) and the administrative expenses, which come out of your loved one’s inheritance, can be significant. The way to avoid probate is by having a revocable living trust.

A “Revocable Trust” is a trust that has detailed instructions as to what happens to your assets when you pass away. It is revocable in that you can change and update those instructions while you are alive. One can think of this type of trust as a bucket. You can put things into the bucket, you can take things out of the bucket, you own the bucket, and have total control over it. In order to put your home into the “bucket,” you record a deed that gives ownership of your home to the trust.

As long as you are alive and competent, you are in the driver’s seat as it pertains to the trust. When you pass away or if you get to a point where you can no longer manage your affairs, the successor trustee (named by you) will have extensive instructions as to how they should manage your home (e.g., who can live in your home, whether it must be sold after your death, at what age someone can take ownership of your home, or how proceeds from the sale of the house are divided amongst your beneficiaries).

Only a licensed attorney, preferably one who is well-versed in estate planning, should set up a trust for you and your family. There are many factors that are specific to you that need to be weighed when deciding if a Revocable Trust is your best option. So, when you are ready to plan your estate, find a law firm that will work with you to preserve your legacy.

About the Author

Amanda N. Jelks is the owner of Jelks Law, PLLC, an award-winning law firm located on the North Shore in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She and her team help families and business owners with estate planning and probate matters. Amanda was selected as the “Best Attorney” by the Chattanooga Business Elite in 2020, has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® for the last four years in a row, and the firm was awarded the 2018 Emerging Business of the Year by the Urban League of Greater

Chattanooga. Amanda is licensed in Tennessee and Georgia.

Guest Editorial: Tools for Transferring Your House to Your Loved Ones By Attorney Amanda N. Jelksgmwebservices2020-05-14T20:32:27+00:00

Design Details: Interior Doors

Interior Doors are easy to overlook – until they’re not. You know the old, hallow, orange-wood doors at Grandma’s house that match the wood paneling accent wall in their basement? Those are not the kind of statement interior doors that are breaking into 2020. We are talking about the modern and trending interior doors that everyone should be buying this year.

Sleek and simple is the name of the game at the start of this new decade, which is why we are starting with the classic stile and rail, or panel, door. These classic two, four or six paneled doors have been a popular choice since the mid-1900’s. While this style door has been around for quite a while, it is a classic style that is taking on new, leaner features that allow it to stay relevant. The panels have become much simpler over time and the ornamental details have minimized. Even the six panel doors have taken on a more modern design than they once had, giving them a step up from something trending that will be out of style in a few years. While six panel doors are still an active player in the game, the two-panel door remains the star of the show.

While it’s never a bad idea to go with a classic, sometimes the edgier, more trending interiors pull at homeowner’s heartstrings. If this is you, an exterior mounted sliding-track barn door might be right for you. This interior element acts as an architectural detail, framing cased openings as the center of attention in any room. The spotlight cannot help but shine on this feature, as it silently claims all attention.

This is not your ordinary interior door—the metal frame of the door adds an industrial look and depending on what door you choose, anything from a modern to farmhouse to traditional look can be achieved. Some opt for a rustic look to match interior farmhouse style décor. To achieve this, add a pop of Barn-wood red paint on the door or use old, reclaimed wood to tie in the rustic feel of the other interior design choices.

If your style is a little more modern or industrial, look for a two-panel shaker style door—for extra pizzazz, use glass inserts on the recessed panels of the door. Frosted glass can make a huge impact if you’re wanting something more streamline than wood but don’t want to lose the privacy of a solid door.

Interior doors are something that are easy to forget about but can make a lasting impact if the details are not overlooked. Remember when selecting interior accents and décor to find a theme or color pallet you love and can stick to long-term. This will help your home feel cohesive and well put together. Choose accents that follow similar themes, materials, textures and colors that will allow your home to host a complex environment that is layered with pieces you love. Doors are just one piece to the puzzle!

Design Details: Interior Doorsgmwebservices2025-11-25T13:33:18+00:00

Introducing Engel Park: Your New “Home Base” in East Brainerd

Our newest community is now open! Engel Park is located on Julian Road just off of East Brainerd Road in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

It features single family homes in Phase I with townhomes scheduled for Phase II. With both single level and two-story homes available, this community is perfect for a wide range of homeowners. Prices start in the mid 200s.

Pratt Home Builders offers two choices: pre-sales (buyer chooses the homesite, home plan and all finishes) or market homes (homesite and home plan selected by our production team and finishes curated by our in-house design team).

Introducing Engel Park: Your New “Home Base” in East Brainerdgmwebservices2025-11-25T13:24:56+00:00

PHB Home Stories: Dave and Reba

“We looked for three years… and we couldn’t be any happier with Pratt and with our home.”

PHB Home Stories: Dave and Rebagmwebservices2020-01-06T20:59:53+00:00

How to Choose the Perfect Front Door for Your Home

Whether it’s draped in a Christmas wreath, guarded by a fun, fall-quoted mat or framed with blooming florals, your front door should be a statement when it comes to the exterior of your home. Reds, yellows, blues—oh my! The options are quite literally endless and once you add stains to the mix, it can become a little overwhelming to commit to a pallet. So how do you know what color front door is right for you? Your front door should be as individual as you are and make a statement while still tying into the rest of your home. It’s important to note the other colors and tones on the exterior of your home before sealing the deal on a paint color.

When you are looking for a refresh on an old door or just deciding which direction to go with a new one, look to the colors in the brick, siding or stone that frames your front door. Is there lots of texture and movement? Are you looking at an achromatic or monochromatic scheme? The easiest way to create a pallet is to find the colors present and pull from those. The hints of blue or red in a monotone brick are what can turn a random burst of color into a purposefully picked theme on your front porch.

When it comes to making a statement on your front porch, it’s important to keep in mind the long-term design of whatever you choose. Does your front porch receive a make-over during the holidays? If so, what color is your fall and winter décor? If you’re bouncing between themes and color pallets, you might opt for a classic stain or neutral swatch so that the façade is not dictating what décor you can use. If you routinely use one color pallet—for example, if your fall décor is made up of warm tones like reds and oranges, and your winter décor also plays off a similar bright red color—you may choose a warm-toned door. This allows your entryway to become a part of your decoration. If you want it to stand out from the color pallet you use when decorating, pick a complimentary color to play off the décor you have; however, if your Halloween pieces and Christmas wreath have no correlation, definitely go with something more transitional like a rustic grey or classic stain so that your front porch can path the way for the theme of your home.

Whatever color pallet you choose for the front of your house, let it make a statement and be the focal point as the entrance to your home. Let your creativity take flight and put your own mark on the home you love to live in.

How to Choose the Perfect Front Door for Your Homegmwebservices2025-11-25T13:34:00+00:00

Community Updates: Now Taking Site Reservations for 3 New Phases

We’re so excited to share that we have new phases opening at three of our most popular communities in Greater Chattanooga. All of these communities offer low-maintenance living, desirable areas, a variety of home plans, and stunning onsite amenities to make living better easy and accessible.

Learn more or schedule a visit on prattliving.com or call 423-757-7687

GreyHawk Trails – Signal Mountain, Tennessee

Creekside at Hampton Meadows – Ooltewah, Tennessee

Magnolia Farms – Apison, Tennessee

Community Updates: Now Taking Site Reservations for 3 New Phasesgmwebservices2025-10-22T12:00:06+00:00

Five Advantages of Single Level Living

In the new home construction industry around Chattanooga, Tennessee, we are seeing a resurgence in Single Level Living. Many homebuyers of all ages are finding that a home on one level would accommodate their needs throughout the years. Pratt Home Builders offers a Single Level home plans in every community.

Accessible

It’s not surprising Single Level homes are among the most popular, as many Baby Boomers are downsizing from multi-level houses and seeking homes without stairs.

Versatile

In-laws visiting? Small children? Multiple levels can present challenges for a variety of people.

Lower-Maintenance

The right floor plan and the right finishes will make for spending less time working and more time living.

Convenient

Pratt Home Builders offers a variety of single level home plans with a wide range of square footage, so you can choose the right size for your lifestyle needs.

Options

To compliment the various Single Level home plans we offer, barrier-free design options are also available.

Five Advantages of Single Level Livinggmwebservices2019-09-16T18:42:27+00:00

New Construction FAQs: “How do I finance my new construction home?”

One of the most common questions hopeful new home buyers often ask is: “Do I need a new construction loan?” You may be surprised to learn the answer is no. How is that possible when you’re buying a new home that’s under construction, or when building from the ground up? By the time you actually close on your home, the work will be complete.

While Market Homes and Pre-Sales have a few differences when it comes to selections and timeline to move in, the financing is the same for both – and standard lending products are welcome. Here’s a quick overview of the differences in what money you’ll need upfront to start your respective process, and of the types of financing we often see in New Home Construction.

Getting started: In some cases, the money needed upfront can be among the determining factors in deciding whether to buy a Market Home or build. Market homes are for sale at all stages of construction and require only a small earnest money deposit to proceed with a purchase agreement. In order to participate in our Pre-Sale process (choose the plan, site and finishes), buyers must provide a little larger deposit.

*Please note, down payment is different than the deposit. The deposit is made payable to the builder and is ultimately applied toward the purchase price of the home ot towards the down payment at closing. The down payment is part of the lending process, and although also is applied toward the purchase price, this is the requirement to fund the loan and paid to the title company or bank.

FHA

An FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan is among the most popular financing choices, especially for first-time homebuyers, since the credit score and down payment needed to qualify are low. The FICO score must be 580 or higher, and the down payment can be as low as 3.5 percent of the sales price.

VA

The VA (Veterans’ Administration) is available to current and former military and National Guard members, and is one of the best if you qualify, and it’s among the most popular choice for Pratt Home Builders customers. There is no money down in many cases, no PMI, and the loans are assumable if you sell. VA loans in Hamilton and Bradley counties can currently be funded up to $453,100.

Conventional

The most common loan is the conventional loan, these can vary significantly to adjust to the buyer’s needs and can be the least restrictive in some regards. A conventional loan generally requires more money down and a higher credit score, but often offers lower interest rates. They typically require between three and20 percent down, and the down payment determines whether a PMI (private mortgage insurance) is required. A 20% down payment will eliminate the PMI.

THDA

The THDA (Tennessee Housing Development Authority) loan was created by the government to boost home ownership in certain areas, so it’s not a lending option in all Pratt communities, but is available in some. There are certain parameters for the home price and the buyer’s household income. In general, THDA loans are for first-time home buyers but there may be some exceptions so it’s always best to check with a lending professional.

PMI

PMI is an insurance policy that protects the holder against loss resulting from default on a mortgage loan. Insurance requirements are sufficient to guarantee that the lender gets some pre-defined percentage of the loan value back, either from foreclosure auction proceeds or from PMI.

To learn more about what new home financing option is ideal for you, contact Pratt Home Builder’s Preferred Lender, Blake McPherson.

https://prattliving.com/homebuyers-corner/financing-options/

New Construction FAQs: “How do I finance my new construction home?”gmwebservices2025-10-22T12:01:35+00:00

Magnolia Farms

The Farms at Creekside

The Trails at Freewill

Nestledown

Engel Park

Cottages at Brow Wood

The Fields at Huntley Meadows

Bainbridge

Retreat at Oakbrook

The Sanctuary at Signal Forest

The Inlet