Homes for Sale in The Foothills

Hot Springs Village straddles both Garland and Saline counties in Arkansas. The census-designated place has a population of a little over 14,500, making it the biggest gated community in North America.

The Village was founded by John A. Cooper Sr., a lawyer who established the real estate firm, Cooper Communities, Inc.  He purchased 26,000 acres at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, the location of what would become Hot Springs Village today.

Groundbreaking started in the early ‘70s and although Cooper Communities built several properties and retirement communities, Hot Springs Village became the lone development under the company that is fully enclosed.

The Foothills

Presently, The Foothills neighborhood in Hot Springs Village is surrounded by thick forest and vegetation. You can see red cedar, oak, pine, hickory, and probably the occasional maple-leaf oak, a species that is endemic to the Ouachita Mountains.

For now, there are no immediate development plans for The Foothills considering that there’s still a vast area of property in the Hot Springs Village just waiting to be scooped up by interested buyers.

However, there are other neighborhoods in Hot Springs Village where you can buy a property and raise your family. The oldest, of course, is the West Village which, as you can guess from the name, is located to the west of the Hot Springs Village. You will find  townhouses and single-family detached homes there whose designs are inspired by noted American architect E. Fay Jones.

To the north inside Hot Springs Village, there’s also The Mountain, which is nestled on the highest elevation in the private community. That gives the residents of the neighborhood an unhampered view of the lake and the mountains.

The other neighborhoods in Hot Springs Village are Village Center, Cortez Highlands, Coronado, East Village, SoBo, and Glazy Peau. Each has something unique to offer. Stepping from one neighborhood to the next feels like stepping into another town really. That speaks volumes of the vision of the planners of Hot Springs Village a long with the aim of making this gated community the most desired destination not just for golfing enthusiasts but also families looking for a safe haven from the stress and strain of the city life.

Greenbelt

Approximately 25% of the 26,000-acre landmass is dedicated to common property or a greenbelt. The environment is the foundation of the entire community. In Hot Springs Village, residents take great pride in their commitment towards conservation. This philosophy enhances Village life and contributes to the enjoyment and value realized by all property owners.

A Life of Peace and Quiet

The main selling point of Hot Springs Village is being surrounded by nature. You have the mountains around you, 11 lakes to explore, an outdoor pool, and club sport amenities. It’s really an ecosystem unto itself. You can go hiking, biking, mountain climbing, exploring, swimming, and just bonding with your kids. There are over 30 miles of trails to explore in the village, which is something to look forward to when you buy a property here.

Being a gated community has its distinct advantages. Few venture here with crime on their minds. In fact, according to NeighborhoodScouts,

Hot Springs Village is one of the safest communities in the entire state with only four crimes committed per square mile. For comparison, Arkansas records an average of 21 crimes per square mile.

There are two points of entry for visitors, the West Gate and the East Gate. Residents, however, are issued an electronic card to access the other gates that are off limits to visitors. This explains why the community manages to keep its peace and order.

There is also a police department right inside Hot Springs Village, and officers go on regular patrols which allows residents to sleep soundly at night. A fire department also exists in the Village, along with an ambulance service that is ready to bring residents to the nearby hospital in case of an emergency.

Values of the Homes in The Village

Because of the location and demand, it’s understandable that the value of the property in Hot Springs Village is more expensive compared to Hot Springs, Little Rock, and even the entire State of Arkansas.

For instance, the median home value in Hot Springs Village is estimated to be $200,000. Compare that to Little Rock with an average value of $140,200, although property costs are expected to rise by more than three percent in 2018. The mean home value index of Arkansas is $117,998.

If you plan on constructing a home in Hot Springs Village, the hard choice will be choosing from the many accredited builders in the gated community. One benefit of hiring a builder from the inside is that it will help you avoid violating any of the rules of the property owners association when it comes to elevation, design, and floor plan.

You Are Worth The Extra Cost

Living in Hot Springs Village will cost prospective buyers a bit more compared to buying a house downtown.  However, Hot Springs Village has a lot to offer and is more affordable than most other private communities in the United States.

Hot Springs Village actually has nine championship golf courses, designed by one of the renowned golfing course architects in the country. The fairways and the greens of just one of the golf courses that you can access anytime are enough to justify the cost of admission. But you have nine! They say variety is the spice of life.