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Homeownership in the Coastal Empire continues to get easy every day.

Buying a home is not the same as it was twenty years ago. Individuals and families are looking for size, affordability, value and comfort when they begin to built their palace.

And ever-changing lifestyles and demographics mean that the needs and desires of the young business person, the mid-sized family and even the elderly are fitting into new molds of home-living.

It was a "trendy" idea to own a home with big backyard and a swimming pool. Now, because of a faster pace, more demand on work and less time to spend with the family unit, homeowners are looking to simplify things to enjoy their time away from the office.

Ask a realtor or homebuyer and they can tell you what the newest trends in home build-ing are. They can also tell you what types of homes are being built in the Savannah area to compete with changing times, new leisure trends and the newest ideas in home living.

Many newer developments that have been built in recent years, or are still in the building stages, are meeting those buyer demands.

As part of the new trend in home and community building, especially in the

the family swimming pool is being replaced by the community pool in a new subdivision. The backyard swing set is now the playground in he center of the new development. All these new amenities are being added to allow individuals and families to do everything without the hassles of maintenance.

David Byck, owner of David Byck Realty in downtown Savannah, said there are some people who still want the pool in the backyard and the lifestyle that was popular in years past, but those numbers have diminished. He also said Savannah area, the home with the poolside view in the backyard is being replaced by the community pool in a planned subdivision that includes clubhouse amenities, playground equipment, and more time for the family unit to relax and enjoy their living space.

"There are people who still want the single-home pool, but that trend is changing as well," Byck said. "We have seen people who do not want a home with a pool because of liability involved or the maintenance."

Byck also said it might be harder to sell a home with a pool in the backyard because of other developments that provide the amenity as part of their community package. the numbers are far less of

There are older home communities in the midtown area of Savannah that have community pools for neighbors to congregate at and share during the hot summer months. But the newer developments are using their improved building style and prime locations, along with lifestyle amenities to attract the young and older homebuyer. It really depends on what they are looking for in home and community.

An example of newer living communities can be found in Berwick Plantation off Highway 17. Within the winding streets and contraction that is still underway are four subdivisions which cater to differing lifestyles.

Stacy Britt, sales counselor at Stonelake in Berwick Plantation, said the changing lifestyle is what attracts people to Genesis Designer Homes� three different subdivisions within the development (Stonelake, Stonebridge, and the Enclave).

"At here at Stonelake, our demographic is mainly seniors and young professionals," said Britt. "The thing we like to show our residents is a maintenance-free lifestyle. Our homeowners don't want the swimming pool in their back yard because they do not want to worry about maintaining it. the only thing our residents want to maintain is their lifestyle."

Even homeowners within Stonelake are pleased with the style of living being offered at the three subdivisions.

"I moved there (Stonelake) so I would not have to worry about taking care of a yard," said Marcy Fennell.

Fennell and her six-year-old daughter have lived in their home for the past year. She said the amenities like the playground and pool are some of the other reasons she decided to move.

"I also like living there because of the outside maintenance that is offered," she added.

Designed for private club living, The Enclave is located in the last wooded preserve in the Southwest quadrant of Savannah. Sequestered estate lots, low maintenance carriage houses, and architectural styles of Lowcountry, Craftsman, and Traditional are just a few prestigious features of the community.

Homes in the Stonebridge community begin with 1,500 square-feet and continue with a variety of floor plans up to about 3,500 square-foot homes. Stonebridge offers first class amenities. The development features a pool with a beach style entry, a wet deck, pavilion, a state of the art skateboard park, two tennis courts, a basketball court and the lagoon setting.

Now that there is a new shopping cnweter being built along the outside of the development along Hwy 17, this too will be another reason to attract homeowners to the area.

Godley Station is a development that has benefitted from the growth and development of business in the western portion of Chatham County.

The Villages at Godley Station is a young community just settling into Pooler but quickly establishing itself as a showcase community that will soon be the envy of everyone in the town. Built just off the Pooler Parkway near Wal-Mart, The Villages at Godley Station is minutes from the West Chatham YMCA and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. And above everything else, these homes, some as old as three years in existence and some just born in the last few months, have something that their older communities would give anything to have - a prime location - in one of the fastest growing areas of the Coastal Empire.

West Chatham County has undergone a major industrial and real-estate boom in the past year, with the development of new subdivisions, strip malls, and office buildings. The housing community is an added-to bonus to the wealth of riches the area is currently enjoying with new restaurants and strip malls being currently built. It is just part of the development excitement that is continuing to build.

Drive into the Villages at Godley Station, and immediately you enter a world unto itself. The long winding roads and the rows of homes already established in the subdivisions is much like its own little community. Plush green grass and country-club amenities are visible throughout the drive around the community. While a row of homes may be occupied by families with small children playing in the front yard, other structures are still under construction waiting to be sold by various contractors in the Coastal Empire.

Lifestyle is what is important to the residents at The Villages at Godley Station. You can purchase a home in many different locations, but to find a recreation complex like "Village Park" is not an easy task.

The 5,000- square-foot Clubhouse is the hub of activity for the community. An exercise room, a meeting room, a full- service kitchen and a comfortable parlor area make you feel as if you are home. The junior Olympic pool highlights the warm weather activities.

Freelance writer, Kathy Bohannon contributed to this story.