By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
LANDIS ó The sounds of hammers tapping nails could be heard from the entrance of the Oaks of Landis.
On Tuesday, many town officials gathered at the new development ó which opens on the east side at U.S. 29 and reaches across to touch North Chapel Street ó for an official grand opening.
“It’s the first major development in Landis in the last 20 years,” said Town Administrator Reed Linn.
The last subdivisions constructed in this south Rowan town, including Edgewood, contained 15 to 25 lots.
Once all four phases are complete, Oaks of Landis will provide space for 235 homes.
The property sits on U.S. 29 just south of the Stag ‘N Doe Pizza House in China Grove, which has been in business since the early 1950s.
The developer is True Homes USA, which until 2007 was called Craft Homes USA. The company’s corporate office is in Monroe.
Currently, six homes have been sold, sales manager Carrie Henderson said, and two more are ready and available.
Prices are moderate, ranging from $130,000 to $180,000, and floor plans vary from 1,600 to 3,400 square feet.
The subdivision offers a children’s playground and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the interior streets.
Henderson said a couple of third-acre lots have not sold yet.
“Most aren’t that big. The rest are one-eighth of an acre,” she said.
The builders are currently in the first phase of the project. They’ve already completed paving, curbing and guttering.
The project began about two years ago.
Although the housing market as a whole is in a rut, Henderson said her company has seen a lot of interest in the property.
“We had over 50 realtors come in,” she said.
The developers rely on realtors to help generate buzz about the property.
“We really get the realtors involved in getting the buyers,” Henderson said.
Many of the interested buyers have been from the Landis-China Grove area as well as some from Charlotte.
Most of those from Charlotte, Henderson said, want to get out of the city.
“This is one of the first communities that started from the ground up. It takes longer because we are starting from scratch,” Marketing Director Lacey Johnson said.
True Homes is excited to bring the subdivision to Landis.
“We hope the town of Landis knows we’re excited to bring an opportunity they haven’t had,” Johnson said.
Many people attended the grand opening, including town administrative staff, public works employees, police officers, firefighters and aldermen.
Linn said residents have received the development positively.
“We have had a lot of good feedback. They were looking forward to this day,” Linn said.
The other subdivision in development is David Murdock’s high-end Club at Irish Creek, which will have 600 lots and nine phases.
For more information about True Homes and the Oaks of Landis, go to the developer’s Web site, www.truehomesusa.com, or call Carrie Henderson at 704-652-1502.