Community Spotlight: Bainbridge

While sometimes there are some fun questions from Chatta-newcomers about how to pronounce “Ool-te-wah”, one thing there’s never uncertainty about is that it’s a great place to live!

Just 15 minutes from the TN/GA split, according to the TDOT signs, it’s been a convenient place to call “home” for many Pratt customers throughout the years. With convenience to our mid-size city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ooltewah still offers a charm of its own. Just 10 minutes from Hamilton Place mall, the local shopping mecca, Ooltewah itself boasts a nice Publix shopping center and the ever-popular Cambridge Square, a local town square featuring local restaurants and boutiques. Many of our best-loved communities throughout the last five years have been tucked away just across the interstate for little more rural lifestyle that doesn’t sacrifice style or convenience.

The Pratt Home Builders Ooltewah community-to-watch in 2024 is Bainbridge. Just 5 minutes from Interstate access, Bainbridge is nestled between I-75 and Ooltewah-Georgetown Road for ultimate convenience. Nice and level, it’s a great place for walking with sidewalks lining both sides of the streets. The pool area will feature a pool house and plenty of lounge chairs to enjoy time with family and friends. Bainbridge offers spacious homesites that accomodate many of Pratt’s best loved home plans, thoughtfully designed by our in-house team of construction and design experts.

At this stage, Pratt customers can enjoy choosing between two options: Pre-sales, which give the opportunity to select homesite, home plan and all the finishes of your beautiful new construction home OR designer market homes, which are thoughtfully-designed by our in-house team so they offer stylish finishes without the longer timeline or having to make all the decisions.

When it comes to Pre-Sales, here are some of our beloved home plans we expect to be popular in this community in 2024:

  • Some of our favorite plans include The Emory, which can be built on many homesites at Bainbridge. The Emory is a spacious ranch home with an open kitchen and living room, with plenty of natural light along the back of the home. For customers who are looking to have everything on one level, but who still may need some extra space, this home plan is a great blend of features.
  • Another popular favorite home plan that can be built in Bainbridge is the Peachtree. The Peachtree is a two-story home with great curb appeal, offering a dining area we’ve seen many customers use as a library, office, or sitting room. It also has a spacious guest room on the main with a full bath, perfect for a teenage suite or giving visiting parents a place of their own on the first floor. A beautiful staircase brings residents to a showstopping main bedroom and spacious bathroom, complete with two additional bedrooms and the option of adding a bonus room.
  • Another great option to build at Bainbridge is the Waterford home plan, which is a main bedroom down home plan with remaining bedrooms upstairs. With a dedicated home office, dining room, and open kitchen and living room, this home plan offers style and space on the main level, with cozy additional bedrooms tucked upstairs.

For customers who prefer to leave the details to the experts, our designer market homes are a great option to for a less-involved experience for customers who need a quick-move-in or who may prefer to leave details to our experts. Below are the finishes of some homes currently available at Bainbridge. *Please note: Call to verify availability of current homes.

Community Spotlight: Bainbridge2023-12-15T17:55:07+00:00

PHB Home Stories: Meet First-time homebuyer Allison White

We spoke with first-time home buyer Allison White about her what it’s like to be building and making selections for her first new construction home in the (booming) Chattanooga market.

Pratt Home Builders: Why did you feel now is the right time to buy a new construction home?

Allison: A lot of it has to do with the timing of being ready to move in.  For me, I was living alone in an apartment when the pandemic hit.  I moved in with my parents “temporarily” since I’m a pretty social person.  Living in isolation was not good for me.  Then the tornado over Easter hit my apartment as well, so I fully moved in.  With Covid still a threat, I don’t want to move back out too soon and find myself isolated like I was at the start of the pandemic, just in a bigger space!  The timeline of building fits when I am hopeful to be able to get back out in the world more comfortably.

 

PHB: Did you look at both new homes and resales? Why did you land decide on new construction instead of a resale?

Allison: I did look at what I’ve been jokingly calling “used” homes before opting on new construction.  Because of the timeline issue I mentioned before and the record low inventory in resales, I was having trouble finding what I was looking for.  Every house I saw that came close was missing at least one item on my “must have” list.  With new construction, I am able to get all my “must haves” within my budget, so it just makes the most sense for what I’m looking for and my timeline.

 

PHB: With the low inventory and competition among resales, would you expect to see new construction homes become the “new normal” in real estate”

Allison: Based on what I saw on the market, it wouldn’t surprise me.  If new construction can guarantee what you want in a home, and the price is right, I would think that would be the better option.  Unless you need a home quickly, why not build what you want?

 

PHB: Does the long warranty make you feel additional ease as a first-time buyer?

Allison: Absolutely!  It’s nice to know that I won’t have to worry about things breaking for a long time.  I’m not the most handy with home repairs, so not having to think about hiring someone to fix things is great for my piece of mind and my budget!

 

PHB: I know you mentioned you are having some special features added to your home – can you talk about those?

Allison: The features I’ve upgraded are just the things that I really want in my home such as a screened porch, a tub in the master bath, and a wall oven in the kitchen to name a few.

 

PHB: What are you most excited about when it comes to your home plan and finishes?

Allison: I’m super excited to put my touch on everything and truly make it mine.  I’m looking forward to going through the process of designing the finishes and getting to pick everything out.  As for the home plan, I love the layout and the way the home flows.  I think it will be everything I’ve been looking for in a home.  I can already imagine living in the space and using each area throughout the day.

 

PHB: Why did you choose the community/location that you landed on and what are you most looking forward to about being in the area?

Allison: I grew up just outside of Red Bank, so I was hoping to move back to the north side of town.  I was looking at homes in the Red Bank, Northshore, and Hixson areas of Chattanooga.  The location of this neighborhood is fantastic as it is close to all the places I spend regular time during the week (church, work, recreation).  I also love how close it is to the Greenway Farms area so it will be easy to go to the park frequently.  The community feels like it is in the middle of the country, but I can get to city amenities within 5 minutes.

 

PHB: What are you most looking forward to about your design process?

Allison: This is a hard question because the answer is “all of it!”.  I’ve never built a home before, but I think it will be an interesting and fun process to go through, especially since I’m not doing it on my own.  I think the design meetings will be enjoyable as I look at all the different options.  I intend to drive by the lot at least weekly to watch the progress of my home being built.

 

PHB: How do you feel about being able to have you own place to call “home” given the current unprecedented situation we are living in?

Allison: I’ve lived alone before, but always in a rented apartment.  I’m thrilled to finally be on the path to owning my home.  I love the idea that I can do anything with the space since it’s mine, even as simply as changing a wall color.  I’m also looking forward to not hearing my neighbors through the walls or ceiling!  I grew up in a neighborhood with great neighbors who cared about the community we lived in.  I’m looking forward to building that with my future neighbors as well.  I think people just care more when there is ownership.

 

PHB: How would you describe your process so far?

Allison: So far, the whole process has been pleasant and pretty easy.  A lot of that has to do with the people I’ve been working with who really know their stuff and are able to guide me through.  I’m not very far in yet, but I feel confident that it will continue to be a lovely experience based on what I’ve seen.  I have always heard horror stories about people building houses, but that has not been my experience at all!

 

PHB: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Allison: I can’t wait to take each next step and watch the whole process take place!

 

Ready to build your new home? We can help! Visit https://prattliving.com/find-your-home/ to get started.

PHB Home Stories: Meet First-time homebuyer Allison White2021-03-25T20:10:16+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 Brainerd2020-01-28T01:57:28+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 Home2019-11-18T16:54:36+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 Living2019-09-16T18:42:27+00:00

Our Favorite Design Features for Holiday Entertaining

Tis the season for holiday entertaining.  Do you love to host family and friends? At Pratt Home Builders, we have options that are perfect for cooking, gathering, gaming, and relaxing at home.

 

Open Kitchen

It is said that the kitchen is the heart of the home and for good reason. They’re an inherently natural place to gather, but depending on your layout, that may or may not be ideal. Spacious open-concept kitchens that feature an island and a breakfast nook or dining area are a popular choice for many homebuyers. With all the room to cook and move around, it’s easy to understand why the combo has become so in-demand.

 

Powder Room

Let’s face it: Restroom accommodations can make a huge difference to guests’ comfort.  When hosting a gathering, it’s important to have a conveniently located restroom that’s accessible. A first-floor half bath ensures your visitors can pop in to use the restroom, wash their hands or check the mirror if needed, without having to go through anyone’s personal space.

 

Sunroom

Maybe you’re popular with friends or have a large family and need multiple spaces that offer some separation but still foster a feeling of togetherness. Options such as this sunroom (in this case, right off the owners kitchen and living area) offer additional square footage and can be multipurpose. Explore our interactive home plans to see more options like this.

 

Open Layout

The Riverbirch home plan featured below is one example of a plan that has both an open, eat-in kitchen with a breakfast nook and an open dining room. While we also have plans with separate dining room options, around the holidays, open dining spaces are very conducive to sitting down large dishes and getting around the table to give out hugs.

 

Second Living Area

After the tryptophan kicks in and watching football games or Christmas movies commences, having multiple living spaces can be nice to offer ways to enjoy time together. The possibilities are endless for how to utilize two living spaces.

 

Outdoor Amenities

A belly full of food and a house full of people may eventually foster the urge to get out for some exercise and fresh air. Many communities have sidewalks and onsite amenities that make it easy to keep the fun going in a way that’s positive and accommodating to a variety of ages and personalities.

If you’re ready to learn more about any of these features, get in touch at prattliving.com or by callling 423-757-7687. We’d love the opportunity to help you love where you live, and how you live.

Our Favorite Design Features for Holiday Entertaining2025-07-31T16:43:59+00:00

Your Home Warranty and Pratt’s Peace of Mind Plan

Pratt Home Builders is celebrating 20 years in business and is rapidly approaching over 1,400 homes built in the Greater Chattanooga area. Throughout the last year, the Pratt team has been diligently focused on standing behind the multiple warranties that come with every Pratt home by making the follow-up process even more effective. We have added a full-time home warranty department and customer care technicians. Robin Warren is spearheading our Customer Care department and is sharing insight about the details of the fifth piece of the Pratt Process: the Pratt Peace of Mind Plan.

 

BN: Robin, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do in terms of Customer Care.

RW: I am a full time in-office assistant to all of our customers and to these gentlemen who make up our warranty team. I will be our customers’ first contact when reaching out about any warrantable concerns. I help coordinate service orders for our technicians and gather data to help improve our department.

 

BN: I know all of us on the Pratt team as well as our homeowners are so glad to have you all! Can you tell us more who else is involved in this rapidly growing department?

RW: Our team members include Josh Gunter, Chad Gadberry, Brandon Whitworth and we are looking forward to a new specialist joining our team later this month!

Josh is a Chattanooga native who joined the team in December 2017 as one of our customer care technicians. Soon, he is starting his transition into our construction side as a Pratt builder. We’re going to miss him on our team, but are extremely happy for him as he pursues his building career. When he’s not working, he enjoys all things outdoors like hiking and kayaking.

Chad Gadberry is another one of our customer care technicians who started working for Pratt earlier this year. Outside of work, Chad enjoys cooking for friends and family, working on his home and spending time with his wife and children. We are very grateful to have Chad on our team. He’s very efficient, thorough and all of our customers love him.

Brandon Whitworth is our director of customer care. He is approaching his one-year anniversary with Pratt Home Builders. He loves to spend time outside of work with his wife, Tina and their three children: Brandon, Bailey and Cooper. They enjoy horseback riding, kayaking and camping. I (Robin) really enjoy working with Brandon. He is always on top of issues, willing to help anyone with all tasks and is diligently working to improve our customer care department.

We are also very excited about a new employee coming soon to join our team later this summer!

 

 

BN: Can you tell us more about what’s included (warranty-wise) when a buyer purchases a Pratt Home?

RW: Pratt homeowners get several types of warranties with their new home. The Pratt Peace of Mind Plan outlines these in depth, and each owner gets a copy of this plan for their reference. Here is an excerpt from The Plan highlighting each warranty type.

 

– Materials and workmanship for 1 year

– Certain major home systems for 2 years

– Defined structural defects for 10 years

 

In general, the Plan is a commitment that materials and workmanship are warranted for

one year from the time of closing. The heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing

systems are warranted for 2 years from closing. Defects in materials and workmanship

in the structural elements of the home are warranted for ten years from closing. Some

appliances, equipment and other components included in the home are not warranted

by Pratt, but are covered by separate warranties provided by the manufacturer or

supplier. These warranties are assigned to the Homeowner by Pratt at the time of

closing. In the event that a timely claim is made under one of these warranties without

response, Pratt will assist the Homeowner in attempting to resolve the problem with

the manufacturer or supplier.

 

BN: What are the main differences in the various warranties, respectively?

RW: There are many different elements of a new construction home, but I believe most buyers will be pleasantly surprised by the items covered. Check out the time and terms on the warranty coverage I’ve listed below (from the Peace of Mind Plan).

One Year Coverage – Pratt warrants the construction of the home will conform to the

tolerances for materials and workmanship, as defined in the Performance Standards, for

a period of one year after the closing date.

Two Year Coverage – Pratt warrants the workability of the plumbing, electrical,

heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other mechanical systems, as defined in the

Performance Standards, for a period of two years after the closing date.

Ten Year Coverage – Pratt warrants the construction of the home will conform to the

tolerances set forth below in the Performance Standards for Structural Elements for a

period of ten years after the closing date, subject to the limitations set forth below.

Structural Elements are footings, bearing walls, beams, girders, trusses, rafters, bearing

columns, lintels, posts and floor systems. A Structural Element will not be deemed

defective, and no action will be required, unless there is actual physical damage that

diminishes the ability of the Structural Element to perform its load-bearing function such

that the home is unsafe.

 

BN: Why is this warranty unique?

RW: Our warranty program is growing rapidly and we are making daily progress to benefit our customers and this is one important attribute that sets us apart from our competitors. The warranty itself stays with the home, not the homeowners. So, essentially if you purchased a “used” Pratt home and it’s still within our one year, two year or 10 year warranty period, then the new homeowner still gets to reap the benefits of our warranty program.

 

BN: If a customer has any type of issue, what’s the best way to get in touch with the team and how soon can they expect to have the issue resolved?

RW: During office hours, a call can be made to myself at 423-267-9917 ext 312 or an e-mail made to me at RobinWarren@PrattLiving.com. If an emergency arises, homeowners can call our office line at 423-267-9917 and press 9 when prompted for an emergency call.

We will always have someone on stand by for emergency issues such as no heating/air or water leaks. While emergency warranty situations are rare, prompt response is essential when they occur. Trouble shooting tips are provided to you but if your efforts fail to correct the problem, you can call us at (423)267-9917 or call the necessary trade contractor or utility company directly.

Your Home Warranty and Pratt’s Peace of Mind Plan2025-07-31T17:28:05+00:00

Buying a Resale isn’t Your Only Option: 7 Reasons to Buy New

It’s no secret that the greater Chattanooga real estate market is booming. When starting the search for a new home, many buyers seek out a Realtor and begin the quest by perusing the MLS. The retail and resale market is very competitive, so often buyers end up in multiple offer situations, which can be stressful and disappointing since so much effort is required just to find a home you feel comfortable making an offer on. Often, by the time the process of multiple searches and offers is complete, many buyers could have built a new home with more of what they really want in a similar timeline. Here are a few reasons to consider buying a new construction home.

New and in style

Of course, the most obvious reason to build is that new construction is move-in-ready! Everything is exactly how you want it – no need for renovations or remodeling. Pratt’s in-house design team creates each market home and consults with buyers on to-be-built homes, so each new construction home boasts modern trends, inherently more energy efficient features like Hardie siding and better-insulated windows, plus stylish granite, hardwood, tile, and fixtures. Every new Pratt-built home also comes with a warranty so you can sleep easier knowing we’ve got you covered.

More options

With nearly 50 home plans, 19 communities, and multiple new communities opening every year! Our communities offer a variety of amenities and atmospheres! From resort-style pools to splash pads, catch and release fishing, ballparks, soccer fields, green spaces, clubhouses, cabanas and so much more, we have a community to match every lifestyle.

Less competition

Because we sell at every stage of construction, it’s fairly uncommon for homes to reach completion without being sold. This means many homes may not ever make it to the MLS and a Realtor representative may or may not know about available homes.

The same financing

There’s a common assumption that to build a new home means obtaining a new construction home loan. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn this is a myth!  You can actually use whatever lending product you would use on a resale home. We handle the construction, so by the time you purchase you’ll own a completed home. We accept cash, convention, FHA, VA, and THDA/USDA where it’s applicable. A deposit is required for a to-be-built (that means you choose the site and plan) and earnest money is required for our market homes (just like for regular transactions).

More ways to personalize

When you build your own home, you can invest where it matters most to you. Maybe that means more square footage, a special homesite, or certain structural changes or finishes. Most of our home plans come with over 20 options, so buyers who want to build can match their home to their lifestyle needs. Maybe that means choosing a screened porch, trey ceiling, or bonus room. There are not only structural options to choose from but also an incredible variety of interior and exterior finishes. Each Pratt home reflects the unique style of the owners.

Built-in equity

In this dynamic real estate market, time is money. When you go under contract, your home plan, site, location and modern finishes are locked in at current market rates, so if the market skyrockets during what is typically a six to eight month build time, that potentially means your home is worth more when you close than when you went under contract, so you could have equity on day one.

The best match

Our in-house real estate matchmaker can determine the best fit for each buyer’s timeline, price point, location and home plan goals. We encourage buyers or their buyer’s agent to get in touch with us directly by booking online or calling 423-757-7687 to learn what inventory is available.

Buying a Resale isn’t Your Only Option: 7 Reasons to Buy New2025-07-31T17:28:30+00:00
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