Oaks Meets Demand For Low Rise, Low Maintenance

By Jerome Obemark
– The Commercial Appeal –

Nelly Shearer is among initial buyers in The Oaks at Schilling Farms. It is a new low-rise condo development intended to look more like single family homes than a multifamily apartment community.

Six buildings with 24 units in the initial phase are being built to the south of Winchester about a half-mile east of Bailey Station in Collierville.

One of those built to the south of Winchester about a half-mile east of Bailey Station in Collierville. One of those buildings is completed and now has a model unit and office operating.

Shearer, a certified public accountant with a practice in Midtown, and her late husband were in practice together before he died. She carried on the business and has two employees.

She will move from a single family home in Midtown. “The house I’m in is far too big for one person. I was interested in downsizing,” she said.

She won’t have to cut the grass or arrange for roof repairs or other exterior maintenance at her new home. A monthly condo fee will cover exterior and grounds maintenance.

That was one thing she likes. Another was the location within the mixed-use Schilling Farms development and the town of Collierville.

Schilling Farms has other homes nearby that cost must more than the condos. It has walking trails, offices, services and businesses.

“Collierville is building up to be a little city of its own. You can do almost anything there,” Shearer said.

A friend who can’t climb stairs looked at the development with her, and each bought a unit.

Three of four plans offered in The Oaks are one story units. Sizes range from about 1,1300 to 1,800 square feet. All have double garages.

“They are quad condominiums (four units per building). We went out as soon as the model opened.

“ I liked the layout. I particularly liked the sun porch,” she said.

All units have sun porches, which can be enclosed, heated and air-conditioned for year-round.